New Jersey-based power metal label Sentinel Steel (ATTACKER, AXEHAMMER, SACRED OATH, MANILLA ROAD, GOTHIC KNIGHTS, etc.) have announced September 12th as the release date for War Of The Eight Saints, the new album from Boston's STEEL ASSASSIN.

States Sentinel Steel owner Denis Gulbey, "Being originally from Mass myself and a longtime admirer of Steel Assassin's 1980s demo material (collected on the From The Vaults CD a few years back), I was very interested in the band's new material. I tend to be a skeptic when it comes to band reformations so imagine my surprise when I heard War Of The Eight Saints for the first time. I was blown away. For a band that formed more than 25 years ago to sound this powerful, this heavy, this VITAL to the current metal scene just boggles the mind. The band has created a unique traditional power metal album of great musical depth with challenging, detailed lyrics that very few of today's bands are capable of writing. I'm very pleased to be associated with this band and this album."

The tracklisting: 'Hawkwood', 'Curse Of The Black Prince', 'Hill Of Crosses', 'Sword In The Stone', 'Merchants Of Force', 'Bloodlust Quest', 'Tartarus', 'Metalfire', 'Victory', 'Barabbas', 'War Of The Eight Saints'.

A Japanese edition containing the same songs will be released on the same day through the Spiritual Beast label.

States Sentinel Steel owner Gulbey: "Our relationship with Japan's Spiritual Beast label goes back a number of years, and this is our first licensing deal with them. I'm a big fan of the bands they license, which include CRYONIC TEMPLE, GRIFFIN, HIBRIA, MYSTIC PROPHECY, PARAGON, STORMWARRIOR, TANK and many others. Spiritual Beast works with some of the best metal labels in the business, labels like LMP, Massacre and Remedy, so we are honored to be a part of their roster for the Japanese market."

The band lineup, featuring 4 of the 5 original band members: John Falzone - Lead Vocals, Kevin Curran - Rhythm & Lead Guitars, Mike Mooney - Rhythm & Lead Guitars/Backing Vocals, Phil Grasso - Bass/Backing Vocals, Greg Michalowski - Drums/Backing Vocals.

Formed as a cover band in 1980, the group officially became Steel Assassin in 1983, appearing on Metal Massacre 6 in 1985. Despite acclaimed true metal demo tapes and live shows in the early/mid '80s, the band disbanded in 1985, a brief reunion in 1988 keeping the Steel Assassin name alive.

The band members continued on in other projects, with 2005 finally bringing 4 of the 5 original members back together again, resulting in heavy writing and rehearsal sessions for the War Of The Eight Saints album.

New lead singer John Falzone (TRIPHAMMER) was added to the line-up, and Rich Spillberg (WARGASM) handled the engineering and production duties. The result is a masterpiece nearly 25 years in the making; a devastating new album of US traditional epic/true power metal at its masterful best.

Singer Falzone is a stunning singer in the explosive Dio/Dickinson/Soto style, and when coupled with Steel Assassin's strong musicianship, catchy songs and intelligent lyrics based on history and mythology, War Of The Eight Saints may be THE traditional power metal album of 2007.

Says the band: "We worked hard to capture the spirit of these historical and legendary stories that span past centuries. Mainly inspired by the exploits of 14th Century military legend Sir John Hawkwood and his "White Company" of mercenaries, War of the Eight Saints delivers the power and force that reflects the drama and intensity of the age."

Steel Assassin has been confirmed for the November 3rd, 2007 installment of Germany's famed Keep It True Festival, and will share the stage with bands like LEATHERWOLF, TOXIK and SACRED OATH.

A vinyl edition of War Of The Eight Saints is also in the works.