Rebel's End – Sing To The Devil

Rebel's End

Sing To The Devil

by Metal Wim at 30 October 2021, 10:15 PM

If there is one certainty it is that when Pure Steel Records release an album it's going to be filled with pure heavy metal. “Sing To The Devil” is the second album for the Belgian Metallers of REBEL'S END. They combine hard rock and heavy metal with a healthy and ample dose of sleaze. Unfortunately, it starts with one of those annoying high pitched intro's that might as well have been left off the album, as it doesn't add one iota of interest.

What happens after that is a different story, though. REBEL'S END makes a running start with “Evil Eye”. The deep and rumbling start and the transition in mid paced unadulterated heavy metal charge is full of reminders of bands of the eighties, which is a bonus in my book. What does become imminent is that the band isn't shy in using harmony backing vocals. Another notch on their post.

“Black Crow” is another song with an ironclad start, that transfers itself into a quality sleazy rocker. The same can be said of “Rawhead”, a faster song that gets your head nodding and your foot tapping, whether you want to or not. “Death & Destruction” keeps up that vibe, and because “Sing To The Devil” has been properly produced it has a sound that fits perfect and gives REBEL'S END the possibility to showcase their intentions.

“Wayward” though is more of a speed rocking song with very strong early eighties heavy metal influences. That is also a side that these Belgian rockers from Antwerp can explore more. When you keep on listening to the rest of the album, you'll hear the combination of what I mentioned thus far. So you know what you're getting.

The good thing about this album is that it is very pleasant to listen to, as it never bores you, it never gets annoying (except for the intro), but there also is a bit, and it's a big one: alas the songs just don't seem to stick. They don't attach themselves to the part of the brain that lets you replay them in your head time and time again. And that is the main drawback of “Sing To The Devil”. When REBEL'S END starts to record songs that once entering your head won't leave anymore, they'll bowl everyone over.

I'm very much aware that a lot of people won't share my opinion, but that doesn't bother me at all. Of course you need to form your own judgement of what you are hearing, but I'd at least advise you to give REBEL'S END a chance and “Sing To The Devil” a good listen. You might judge that I'm right about the album. On the other hand, you just might realise I'm talking rubbish. I'm good with both outcomes.

Songwriting: 7
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 6
Production: 8