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Steel Attack - Predator Of The Empire


*
=Staff's pick

Predator Of The Empire*
Cursed Land*
The Darkness
Point Of No Return
Heavy Metal God
The Holy Sign*
Arise*
Nightmare
One Way To Heaven, One Way To Hell*
Reality Unknown


Genre Power Metal
Dick
Vocals
Tracks 10
John
Guitar
Runningtime 52 Min.
Dennis
Guitar
Label Arise Records
Patrick
Bass
Release 07 April 2003
Micke
Drums
Country Sweden
-
Keyboards
Similar artists Nocturnal Rites

What are, and has always been, really good about Steel Attack?: the guitarriffs. What are, and has always been, less good about Steel Attack?: the vocals.

Is there no reason at all for not buying this album if you are a serious power metal fan?: No! The riffs are better than before, and the vocal issue is solved, and that to the better. With only 2 originalmembers left since the old days, Steel Attack have found their place in the metalworld and now they are according to me one of the best ones around playing this type of metal. This is pure power metal, with no intensions at all to play anything else but melodic, heavy riffs with lyrics about dragons and warriors, and they do it damn good, I must say.

In at least a couple of songs they deliver the most marvellous Running Wild-esque riffs that sure will make Rock'n'Rolf rolling over the floor cursing himself over the fact that he didnt invent them back in the early 90's. They have also chosen a more heavy approach, and that is something that is mainly responsible for the big improvement compared to the earlier releases, which also were good, but lacked both good vocals and also depth. All of that we get here.

The fast songs are filled with razorsharp, catchy riffs and nice licks and passages. The songs are also more varied than before, which shows maturness and development since the early albums. The more midtempo songs are instead very heavy, and they haven't compromised with the melodies in the choruses so they are as headbangingworhty as their faster cousins. Arise is a good example of that. The production is fat, really heavy and crystal clear, and i think it's close to perfection. It suits this type of music very well, and if they could put more juice on the drums than the perfect 10 is around the corner. The vocals are way, way better than before - it took a few listenings to come to that conclusion for me, though, but when I did I was amazed. From time to time vocalist Dick sound like a young Dio, mixed with any 80's metalsinger with a little rougher voice. Very, very good, and suits the music perfect.

In the power metal genre, Steel Attack are not beaten by many bands today when it comes to intensity and love for catchy tunes delivered with pondus. I dare to say, though, that I can hear a few riffs that are being recycled here from the first album if I am not mistaken, but that is the only thing I can think of that are worth mentioning on the minus side for this album. Buy this one, and your metalsummer is partially saved.

See also review of: Diabolic Symphony , Enslaved , Fall Into Madness

Production
Vocals
Compositions

8,5

8

8

 
Summary



8 chalices of 10 - Tommy

Related links:

www.steelattack.com