Until 2006, Ski was known as the massive talent fronting the cult classic heavy metal band, Deadly Blessing (1988 Ascend From the Cauldron on New Renaissance Records & An Eye To the Past on Hellion Records). Now, afforded a second bite at the apple, with divine guidance, Ski makes a return with Faith Factor on Retroactive Records. Faith Factor combines high end, melodic based vocals with a twin guitar attack to create a work that can best be described as galloping riffs of pure classic, technical power metal. Former Deadly Blessing vocalist Ski fronts the group bringing a commanding, operatic elite vocal presence. Ski displays a near unlimited range when he cuts loose and goes for a high note (think Lance King, Geoff Tate, Midnight, John Arch, Dio, Bruce Dickinson). Metal To Infinity webzine calls Ski "...one of the best vocalists walking the planet..." And Magic Star Light zine says, "those familiar with Ski's vocals won't even bother reading the rest of this review before going to buy the album!" Against... is a rarity in the metal world. It's a dark and weighty slab of classic traditional heavy metal, technical and progressive as reflected in the numerous time changes and the band's frequent excursion into instrumental territory. Yet, the listener is drawn in by insanely catchy hooks at every turn. Fans of Recon, Iron Maiden, Crimson Glory, Iced Earth, Rob Rock, Forbidden, and Queensryche have every reason to raise their metal fists high into the air. Epic, traditional, heavy metal is alive and well on Against A Darkened Sky! SELLING POINTS Lead singer, Ski, former singer of the cult classic heavy metal band, Deadly Blessing (1988 Ascend From the Cauldron on New Renassiance Records) Full magazine, advertising, radio campaigns Featured on Heaven's Metal subscribers compilation cd Featured on label promotional CD, Headbangin' 201 Active Myspace and website promotion: www.myspace.com/faithfactorrocks For fans of Queensryche, Forbidden, Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, Helloween, Deliverance, Impellitteri Playing Germany's Keep It True 11 festival - November 15th, w/ Flotsam and Jetsam, Nasty Savage, Girlschool, Toyko Blade Played True Metal America Concert Series Oct 4th, with Attacker, Sacred Oath, Steel Assassin Play True Metal America Concert Series, Nov 1st - cd release party w/ Attacker and Timelord FF has shared the stage with Icarus Witch, Azreal's Bane, Lazarus, and The Fall of Man FF has been covered in these magazines: Heavy, Sacred Metal, Hard Rock, Sacrificium, Heavens Metal FF is on the Queensryche Tribute album (not yet titled), and Lizzy Borden Tribute Baptized in Blood, due out Nov of 2008, and will be featured on the up-coming Crimson Glory Tribute called Azreal's Revenge in 2009/2010. METAL TO INFINITY REVIEW METAL TO INFINITY True believers of US Power Metal music - take a break and listen up to what I have to tell you about the new album from Faith Factor entitled ''Against A Darkened Sky'' released through the American label Retroactive Records. If you've experienced the eighties Metal movement yourself, please don't tell me that you never heard of a band called Deadly Blessing and its Godly frontman named Norm 'Ski' Kiersznowski! If this is effectively so - well sorry but that's a shame on you. Way back in the 80s, it was almost an obligation to have Deadly Blessing's debut album called ''Ascend From The Cauldron'' to see appearing in your LP collection. It's still one of my all time favourite Classic US Metal albums, so pure and played from the heart - I still get shivers down my spine every time I give this product a few spins. Unfortunately, almighty Ski left the Deadly Blessing ranks but the remaining members kept going on - two years later on they released the EP ''Psycho Drama''. Pretty good shot to me, at least for the musical content but to be honest it wasn�t the same feelings I've had while listening to this output. Singing God Ski was gone and felt like a needle through my US Metal heart! The years that followed, Ski was active in bands like Obliterator and Altered State... I was still hoping and longing that one day, this magnificent singer will ever show up again. A Deadly Blessing compilation entitled ''An Eye To The Past'', including a collection of awesome/rare songs of the band's history line, came out through German Hellion Records and believe me, this was a very heartfelt present I longed for. Without Ski, DB also brought out a demo in 2007 and a single ''Utopia In Flames/Devided'' in 2008 but... My wish became reality - Ski was back with a vengeance, last year he took us all by surprise with his new band called Faith Factor and the EP ''7/7/07''. More than just curious and with the help of Ski (who sent the promo to review to MTI) I right away start listening to the songs on it and YEAH, I was astonished with the end result. Master Ski still in excellent shape, this output gave meant the world for me. Good point was that the news went around that a full length album of Faith Factor was in the works to be released at the end of 2008. Check it out - check it in, I proudly presents the new album of these American Believers, stand sharp with full attention for ''Against A Darkened Sky'', a product of Retroactive Records! As for the packing, all looks great - a 10 page booklet with a perfectly worked out lay-out done by Rob Rock's wife Liza speaks to everyone's imagination - production sounds real heavy, actually what a great Metal album asks for, right. Ten songs are added to the tracklist, besides some kind of an intro (Evila Si Eh) and outro (Sinner's Prayer), the other ones blew me away. I'm a follower of US Metal since the eighties, I've heard so many great albums since those years and with a very satisfied heart, I will add Faith Factor's new album ''Against A Darkened Sky'' to my list of all time favourite US Metal efforts. First full song 'Keep It True' opens with the legendary high pitched vocals of Mr. Ski himself followed by powerful guitar riffs and excellent rhythms. Actually a tribute to many classic bands who came across God's Metal Ministry through the years. ...''We fight - for what we believe, stand tall for the Metal creed!''... Ski sings with a burning passion for the scene! Also very remarkable are the melodic guitar solo's straight up, technical basslines. To make the picture entirely perfect, bombastic drum works to work out outstanding. The song 'In Remembrance' sounds actually like a meeting of two magnificent US Metal bands as there are Jag Panzer and Heir Apparent. When a track called 'The Crucifix' meets 'The Keeper Of The Reign'... seventh heaven lies right in front of me! But there is many more to enjoy in this album - more power with highlights as: 'In God's Shadows', 'Armor Of God' and 'Divine Temptations'... three songs that are so fantastic, I nearly can't believe my ears but ther is more to impress you! There is one song - more specifically - the longest tracks on the album entitled 'Ascend Unto Heaven' is absolutely favourite song of all. Why I prefer this one above the other works is simply because of the fact here is so much awesome atmospheres, breaks, very catchy moments to detect... the only thing you can do is sit tight and expect the unexpected. Perfectly worked out with the most attention of detailed perfection. One moment everything is quiet and easy on the ear - a bit later on all transforms into pure US Metal violence. Full satisfaction is mine! Reaching the end of my review, some words left to say about my feelings regarding this album - I'm overwhelmed all over! Perfect in every point of view, ''Against A Darkened Sky'' is an absolute must-have for all maniacs into US - Classic minded - Power Metal and top-notch, melodic/ high pitched vocals delivered by a master named SKI. Order possibilities via: http://www.myspace.com/retroactivewreckage - To purchase, visit Faith Factor's homepage at: http://www.faithfactorband.com/ MY POINTS: 100 / 100