Fifth Angel - ‘The Third Secret’ is a glorious old school metal album for the modern age

The 80’s were a magnificent time for the origins of heavy metal, glam metal, hard rock, and all-out debauchery. The world was introduced to a sight it had never before seen on stage, pyrotechnics fit for Satan himself, 7-foot tall men in high heels with more makeup than a 50’s housewife, enough hairspray to destroy the ozone layer, and some of the tightest spandex you’ve ever seen. The 80’s were a golden age for heavy metal and gave birth to some of the most influential acts to date such as Motley Crue, Queensryche, Stryper, Judas Priest, Accept, Anvil, and Seattle based hard hitters, Fifth Angel.

When Fifth Angel first hit the scene, Epic Records in New York City caught wind of the band, and were so impressed with the act, they signed the band to a seven album, $21 million dollar deal. That’s how much of an impact Fifth Angel had on the industry at the time. A similar story can be said for the aforementioned contemporaries. Many of the artists that enjoyed success in the 80’s disappeared in the following decade as grunge took hold and started to dominate the global music market. Some of these bands continued to record and release records but completely failed to change with the times and became obsolete. Fifth Angel, however, decided to vanish and reappear in 2018 with a stunning heavy metal record.

Time and time again we see new metal acts appear from every corner of the earth trying to copy their influences and idols of times gone by. No matter how many years they put into the industry trying to create a unique sound, and ultimately write great records, they just fail at the first hurdle and end up sounding exactly the same as every other metal band on the scene, it’s forced, it’s robotic, and it’s always overproduced. Fifth Angel - ‘The Third Secret’ is absolute proof that talent comes naturally to those who are gifted with such heavy metal powers.

Probably the most shocking aspect of The Third Secret is the simple fact that Fifth Angel consists of just three people! - Kendall Bechtel – Guitar & Lead Vocals, John Macko – Bass, Ken Mary – Drums & Backing Vocals - How on earth a trio alone can create such an epic, cohesive, and powerful record is an achievement in itself. It’s also extremely rare to find someone that can deliver such a unique metal vocal the way Kendall Bechtel does throughout this entire album.

When you listen to The Third Secret, you instantly feel alive, and although you’re overwhelmed with 80’s heavy metal nostalgia, it’s very apparent that this is a record for a modern age, for new fans and veterans alike. Fifth Angel, like a hand full of other original 80’s metal outfits that are still releasing great records, just possess the ability to write incredible records, ravenous riffs, demonically possessed solos and all in all, some of the most authentic heavy metal you will ever have the pleasure of experiencing. We say experience because ‘The Third Secret’ IS an experience, it isn’t just a record, it’s a beast by its own accord and should be handled with caution.

This is how metal should be played and Fifth Angel have truly achieved a metal masterpiece with The Third Secret. What an incredible record!