Coming barely nine months after the debut, Troops of Steel, singer/guitarist Pancho Ireland gives us the second full-length album from his band Merciless Law, The Holy Company. I rather liked the debut and this one is very much in the same vein of crunchy, heavy/power metal but the songwriting isn't quite at the same level, making me wonder if the quick turnaround time was a bit too quick. Influences that can be heard include Black Majesty in the smooth, upbeat "The Holy Company," early US metal (think Keel, as Pancho's vocals remind me of Ron Keel quite a bit) and even Judas Priest, circa British Steel in the uber-catchy riffing on "The Undying Fire." The Holy Company is a good listen with no real wasted tracks but is simply not as memorable as Troops of Steel. That said, if you liked Merciless Law's debut, you're sure to find something on this new one you'll like.
