Steel Attack have come a long way since their early days as a standard Power Metal band, featuring a singer who didn't really sing but more "spoke" the lyrics.and I don't mean on purpose, that was his way of singing. I liked the music a lot back then, and even found a certain charm in the singer. But now, with a new astonishing singer and some improvement in the songwriting
Steel Attack are not just another good band, they have reached a level higher and more professional than I ever thought possible!
The new album Enslaved features great riffs, melodies that stick to your brain once you hear them, great guitar soloing, not to forget the splendid vocals of Ronny Hemlin, who's voice is nothing but impressive! Like a combination of Ronnie James
Dio and Stefan Berglund (from Memory Garden), but still with a great level of uniqueness. He performs with such power, skill and intensity, that I'm completely blown away every time I listen to him.
Other changes lie in the songwriting and the improved playing abilities of the members. The music is more aggressive and much better thought out, than the previous stuff. Less simple and with room for many details.
The album kicks off in great way with
Gates Of Heaven, a fast paced, energetic tune with a great drive and vocals that shine. It has both melody and a good dose of aggression.
Out Of The Flames is a very melodic traditionally Power Metal-style song, with a strong chorus, that I can't help sing along to. A well arranged and carried out song.
Forsaken shows the diversity of the band, it has blistering, ripping guitars as well as a slower more melodic side, all topped with great and intense vocals.
The music is surprisingly aggressive, compared to
Steel Attack's previous work.. A song like
Immortal Hate is a good example, with it's crushing basswork and ripping guitars. In this song, even a growl effect has been added in the chorus to higher the impact, which works fairly well.
Son Of A Thousand Souls is slow and heavy. Ronny Hemlin's voice is highly aggressive, and the structure varies between fast Power Metal parts and slower doomy ones, giving the song an ultra heavy feel and a somehow sinister atmosphere.
The titletrack,
Enslaved is so great! A pretty traditional Power metal tune, with a hit-potential-chorus and some ripping guitarwork. Very melodic and well working!
When You Dream ends the album in a more calm way. An atmosheric tune with a soothing melody, though I prefer
Steel Attack when they rock harder than here.
The album speaks in both melodic and crushing ways.
The songs are well crafted and way more diverse than what I expected from the Swedes. Though most of the songs have a hard paced profile, the changes in speed and between softer and harder parts gives an overall impression of a diverse release, with many cool details.
To put it short, this is not only the best work I've heard from
Steel Attack, but a solid and well crafted aggressive Power Metal release, that I think all lovers of the style will like, despite if you like the old
Steel Attack records or not, as the band have reinvented their sound and improved amazingly!
Written by
Nina Thursday, November 4, 2004
Show all reviews by NinaRatingsNina: 7.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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