MORTAL SIN have delivered a really cool comeback album with “An Absence Of Faith:. The new songs of the Australians could very well be compared to the black album of METALLICA, as they are dominated by mid-tempo. But several sharp accelerations add even more punch to the already excellent compositions.

First to mind is “Tears Of Redemption”, which reminds me a lot of their own classic “Lebanon”. Holy crap, these koalas set off some riff fireworks here! But all the other tracks also are more than adequate, the whole album is chock full of razor sharp riffing and great choruses.

Really, if METALLICA would deliver such musicianship and compositions again, the Metal world would be kneeling at their feet! And Mat Maurer sings more powerfully than ever and is really impressive, to evaluate this thesis, listen to “Rise Or Fall”. The guitar sound also somehow reminds me of PRONG during their heyday and the melody lines can definitely compare with ONSLAUGHT’s underrated “In Search Of Sanity” album.

Towards the end of the album the songs run a little out of steam, but still are better than what would be the highlights of many other combos.

(Online January 28, 2009)