I love Canada. And that doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that our chief Alex and his fairy Val have pitched their tents there, but purely musical. Exactly like the Power Metal formation SWORD, which had raised the fist of the Metal Child with their debut "Metalized" extremely high. I could make it really easy and just say: "For all maniacs, who think that SAVATAGE’s "Power Of The Night" CD is the non-plus-ultra”. What, you in front of the PC do not know the album yet? Really not?? No kidding??? Go and change that!!! And then see to it that you also get "Metalized" into your fingers, amen!

No, SWORD are not a SAVATAGE stereotype, just the style is the same. Unnecessary to say that fans of WILD DOGS or METAL CHURCH also have to get this, if you haven’t done so already. After APRIL WINE’s sales started to drop, SWORD were supposed to become the next draught horse of Aquarius Records, which did not work out, though. The music definitely was not the reason, because songs like the mighty, mystical "Evil Spell", the ARMORED SAINT-like grooving "Stoned Again", the biker hymn "F.T.W.", ah, every song is a potential killer and lets the Metalhead’s heart beat double-bass! Really, folks, "Metalized" definitely is the steel armoured dream of every true headbanger.

All 19 songs (Ehm, let me quickly count here – 1, 2, 3, 4…10, dear Hawk! – Alex) stand like from one mould and represent Heavy Metal of its most gigantic side. Have I actually mentioned the vocals yet? Udo Dirkschneider would sound like Rick Hughes, if he could really sing! Add a nicely big production, which 20 years later has not lost any of its punch. Should you find it on eBay or a flea market, do not hesitate, get it. High prices are absolutely justified for this high-class product. And before I completely throw a fit, let’s finish this off. (Online February 3, 2006)