Imagine if you will a female Ronnie Dio – well in voice anyway not looks. Veronica Freeman is the vocalist of Benedictum and her deep throated vocals are a dead ringer for Dio!

Her voice soars over the metallic riffs (very Judas Priest/Primal Fear in sound and style) of the title track (possibly the best original song on here) and '#4'. To further reinforce the Dio sound the band tackle two Dio-era Sabbath tunes 'Heaven and Hell', which is okay but 'Mob Rules' fairs much better at the bands of the band - in fact it sounds heavier than the original.

Those who like Dio in his more metal moments will doubtless enjoy this and taken as a classic metal influenced release it is not bad at all. In frontwoman Veronica they have a very talented and marketable person (just check out photos of her!).

***

Review by Jason Ritchie

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly