The Hellpreacher is the third release by Birds Of Prey, but I'm not familiar with any of the bands efforts prior to this one. The music sort of reminds me of a mix between Entombed, Gorefest and the southern rock band Alabama Thunderpussy. The music have a more rock n' roll-like approach to it than bands like Entombed or Gorefest do, but still there are many similarities.

The riffs are good and most of the time catchy. When it comes to the pace of the song Birds Of Prey tends to go for something mid-tempo or a little slower. It happens that the band speed things up a bit, but overall the music is kept at a laid back and moderate tempo. Logically this also work the best with the rock n' roll vibe that the band so obviously adore.

Overall The Hellpreacher is diverse and with many things to explore. Here's everything from thick death metal riffing on "Tempt the Disciples" and "Blood" to straight forward Motörhead-like rock n' roll parts on "Taking on Our Winter". Ben Hogg's vocals often reminds me of Pro-Pain's Gary Meskil. In other words it's a harsh, but not undecipherable kind of growl. The sound is dirty, but not in a way where things get muddy or vanish. It fits the music well.

Birds Of Prey's mix of death and sludge metal are convincingly done. I don't have much negative to say about The Hellpreacher - If I were to point out something it would be that some of the songs can feel a bit torpid now an then, but on the whole it doesn't affect the music much as songs like "Momma", "Alive Inside!", "Blood" and "Giving Up the Ghost" plenty make up for this.

If you're looking for something different than straight forward death metal, than The Hell Preacher might be the place to look.