I suppose the major problem with the German unholy trinity of evil-thrash, namely Destruction, Sodom, and Kreator, is that their popularity has, over time, completely shadowed numerous other bands from their period. Iron Angel is just as good (on whatever level you may categorize "good") as their counterparts, and "Hellish Crossfire" deserves better then the third rate recognition it's received over time. I'm not trying to say that "Hellish Crossfire" is a ground breaking album, but it's a fuckin' good one!

Most importantly, it's the bands only true "jewel" in their discography, since the follow-up, "Winds of War", is uninspired and boring. Riffs aplenty, vocals that really aren't far off from early Running Wild (minus the "growl" and a little higher pitched, but you'll get the same feeling), and some serious drumming! The drumming on this album is a highlight for me, since it never stops flailing around the kit as soon as it kicks in during the opening track.

The band also make usage of multi-vocalist choruses, like early Slayer did, and yes, Running Wild! "Hellish Crossfire" is another album that deserves modern re-release status (maybe it was put on re-mastered CD?), as it is pure German evil thrash metal, and damn fine too...

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