Review by Alex on November 30, 2019.

As of right now I have to scrap my top 6 war metal albums of 2019, for as the year draws to a close, I have found more releases that compete vigorously with my current selection. Profane Order joins the ranks of devout troops to set foot upon the battlefield, they're absolutely brutal band. The songs on their second full length album, Slave Morality are fucking lethal; imagine a spawn between Archgoat, Diocletian and Heresiarch, that's how much energy and ferocity is put into this record. I was on defense about it for a while and for no reason other than I felt content with what I had already heard from other bands. But being wrong is something I welcome if it means I'm getting great music.

What followed the intro 'A Barren and Everlasting Isolation’, proved my alleged content to be but a thought actively lying to my uncontrollable thirst for war metal. Once the devastating drums and electrifying riffing made landfall it became clearer I had been living in denial. This is 33 minutes of collateral sonic explosions hitting at every angle, cutting off all exits and escape routes. Manned by Illusory and TG, Slave Morality is one of the finest black/death/war metal albums of 2019. Like countless others it’s the artwork once again that I answered; not the most detailed or exaggerated image, just a candid visual representation of the sessions unfolding on 'Righteous Spawn (Of the Plague Child)’, ‘Black Vomit Desecration' and 'Ancient Blood'. Once set in motion, there is no turning back from Slave Morality, especially once you've been hit by the spear of 'War (Upon the Modern World)'. It has this wicked chugging bass guitar and tackling drum section that sums up the brutal nature of the album. The speed of the double kick (bass) and snare drum on 'Perverse Demoniac' for example, remind me of the sound made when consistently striking the speed ball boxing apparatus; that feedback you get is priceless.

The B side has some of the slower parts on Slave Morality fittingly masking some intensity while keeping the session moving in lending contrast to the agility. Also, I would argue the A side is less restrained than the B side; take 'Black Vomit Desecration' and "Antichrist Abomination' both as examples, the former is centered on propensity whilst the latter implements diversity through its 4:50 run-time. Death metal fans would be pleased to hear the solos on Slave Morality, most of it resembling some early Immolation and Suffocation stuff, and that's a big deal if you still can’t escape the embryonic 90s. 'Hexed (Defiling God's Child)', holy fuck the opening lead followed by the solo is menacing, memorable and slightly technical perhaps the strongest song on the B side where as the heavy hitter of side A declared 'War (Upon the Modern World)' is explosive. Profane Order make sure to end with a massive bang!, 'Entranced by the Morning Star', is a 5 minute butchering of the instruments comprised of electrocuting riffs, amputating vocals and thunder bolting drums most of which I understand were handled by Illusory with the aid of TG on guitars making Slave Morality admirable and a must have for all you undomesticated war metal slaves.

Slave Morality is and anointment of oppression, a death-march, a violation of sanctity.

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by Krys on March 10, 2007.

Let's get one thing out of the way, for those who hopped "The Hours That Remain" will be "11 Dreams Pt. 2", it is not. The follow-up to its groundbreaking predecessor is much simpler and easier to digest for the casual listener but that doesn't mean Mercenary took shortcuts sacrificing the quality of the final product. This time around their blend of death\thrash and progressive\power elements simply lost a little on its progressive side that resulted in much straightforward compositions. Still very dynamic and at times aggressive riffing is built around very catchy choruses and band's trademark multilayered vocal arrangements. Aside from guest appearances by Soilwork's Bjorn "Speed" Strid and Marcus Bischoff of Heaven Shall Burn, executed to perfection vocals of Mikkel Sandager are mostly in clean territory only spiced up by few blackened snarls and few growls. There's really nothing wrong with this record and Mercenary have nothing to be ashamed of but by rising the bar so high with "11 Dreams", very good is now below their standards and capabilities. 2007 is still very young but I'm confident "The Hours That Remain" will end up almost on every the best of list by the end of the year.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Originality: 8
Production: 9
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.4 out of 10

Review by Jack on March 7, 2002.

My original thoughts of “Under the Cross” from Squealer were of thoughts of Megadeth; the opening riffs and drum blasts on the track ‘Painful Lust’ reminded me of Megadeth back in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Fortunately for my ears and this CD’s mark; we do not have another Megadeth clone, but in fact an album that would have to be in contention for one of the most diverse power metal albums this year.

Squealer (for those of you who have/had not heard of them, like me) are a metal band whom you would perhaps throw in the power metal category; however if you do see fit to deem Squealer and this year’s effort in “Under the Cross” as solely power metal, you would be doing them a BIG disservice. The coolest thing I picked up from my early listening of “Under the Cross” is the difference in each and every song. In the opener track, ‘Painful Lust’, you have some hard riffs and drums that belong in any other genre of metal apart from power metal; it is just too tough and manly to be power metal. The vocal efforts of Henner are also too thrashy to be pinned down to power metal and have a sort of hardcore edge to them. One-dimensional is something Henner is not; skip to the gothic ballad track in ‘Fade Away’ and you will hear a set of lungs that many a gothic-tinged vocalist would be proud of.

The story behind “Under the Cross” is one of religious thoughts and views; ironic and attempts at humor are abound in bucket-loads. ‘Painful Lust’ tells a tale about a monk jerking himself off and then we skip to a serious track in ‘Facing the Death’ which explains to us about fanaticism and dying for a cause...

There is something for everyone on “Under the Cross”; the cleaner vocals of Henner are simply amazing and in conjunction with the gang-vocals ala Stuck Mojo, you will find yourself singing along in blind faith. Definitely to be a favourite amongst power metal fans.

Bottom Line: Never a dull moment on “Under the Cross”. Squealer cross so many spectrums of metal that growing tired or bored of them would be a hard thing to achieve. A winner.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Originality: 7
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 8.1 out of 10

Review by Jack on March 7, 2002.

My original thoughts of “Under the Cross” from Squealer were of thoughts of Megadeth; the opening riffs and drum blasts on the track ‘Painful Lust’ reminded me of Megadeth back in the late 80’s/early 90’s. Fortunately for my ears and this CD’s mark; we do not have another Megadeth clone, but in fact an album that would have to be in contention for one of the most diverse power metal albums this year.

Squealer (for those of you who have/had not heard of them, like me) are a metal band whom you would perhaps throw in the power metal category; however if you do see fit to deem Squealer and this year’s effort in “Under the Cross” as solely power metal, you would be doing them a BIG disservice. The coolest thing I picked up from my early listening of “Under the Cross” is the difference in each and every song. In the opener track, ‘Painful Lust’, you have some hard riffs and drums that belong in any other genre of metal apart from power metal; it is just too tough and manly to be power metal. The vocal efforts of Henner are also too thrashy to be pinned down to power metal and have a sort of hardcore edge to them. One-dimensional is something Henner is not; skip to the gothic ballad track in ‘Fade Away’ and you will hear a set of lungs that many a gothic-tinged vocalist would be proud of.

The story behind “Under the Cross” is one of religious thoughts and views; ironic and attempts at humor are abound in bucket-loads. ‘Painful Lust’ tells a tale about a monk jerking himself off and then we skip to a serious track in ‘Facing the Death’ which explains to us about fanaticism and dying for a cause...

There is something for everyone on “Under the Cross”; the cleaner vocals of Henner are simply amazing and in conjunction with the gang-vocals ala Stuck Mojo, you will find yourself singing along in blind faith. Definitely to be a favourite amongst power metal fans.

Bottom Line: Never a dull moment on “Under the Cross”. Squealer cross so many spectrums of metal that growing tired or bored of them would be a hard thing to achieve. A winner.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Originality: 7
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 8.1 out of 10