Comments:
The fifth release of Power Metal maniacs Steel Attack, Diabolic
Symphony, is their first on Massacre Records. While you can lump
them into the same group as bands like Hammerfall, Manowar, Helloween,
etc., there is a tangible darkness to their type of music. They never
give you that "happy happy joy joy" Power Metal vibe - this
is the rawest form of Power Metal available. It's not triumphant -
it's destructive!
The
beauty of this kind of metal lies in the speed. From the first notes
of the opener "Diabolic Symphony," you get pummeled with
monstrous drums beats by a guy who by name alone was foretold to play
in a Power Metal band -Tony Elfving. The duo guitar attack by John
Allan and Johan Penn play back and forth with tremendous fluidity
as well. Of course, you can't have Power Metal without a lead singer
with tremendous range, anger and attitude. Singer Ronny Hemlin has
all of the above, and even more, while also writing all of the lyrics.
"Dead
Forever" is a blazing track, with Hemlin howling somewhat like
a younger, pissed off Dio. The sheer musicianship on this track is
fun as hell to listen to, with the razor-sharp riffing and thunderous
drumming.
One
of the best songs on Diabolic Symphony is the dark "Dreaming,"
almost like a neo-classical song on speed. The chorus is the first
time the lyrics stick in your head, with the lines, "Dreaming,
I must be dreaming. I can't remember dying …" Hemlin completely
manhandles the vocals here; he is loud, strong and impressive.
You
sort of expect a ballad from this kind of band, but Steel Attack takes
their name quite literally. No retreat, no surrender - they just attack,
landing blow after blow. "Embraced by Fear" is a song that
would have the masses moving as one at a live show.
"Haunting"
is as close as you'll get to a slower song. The track begins with
a brief keyboard and triumphant guitars, almost dueling each other,
back and forth. Here, Hemlin has the opportunity to show another side
to his voice, a softer, more musical quality.
Typically,
when you come to the end of an album, the best songs have already
been heard. But, Steel Attack almost morphs into a heavier entity
with the last two tracks. "I Bow My Head in Shame," really
comes close to a Thrash Metal song, with the rhythm structure. With
the tempo changes, it isn't thrash, but even vocally, Hemlin sings
with a thrash edge to his voice. The driving rhythms are as close
to Slayer as to Helloween - great freakin' song.
They
end the battle with "The Other Side." While keys are prevalent
at the onset, they go back into the fray with a straight ahead heavy
composition, ending things on the same kind of note they started things
out - with contained and melodic brutality.
Steel
Attack is the kind of band that any fan of heavy metal should dig.
They don't overdo anything; the songs make sense, are heavy as hell,
but are not overplayed. Even the production has a live feel to it
- you know they sound exactly like this during a concert. In fact,
you feel as if you are listening to them live when the CD begins,
and you'll be headbanging all the way through.
www.steelattack.com
Track listing:
01.Diabolic Symphony
02.Dead Forever
03.Shallow Seas of Hatred
04 Dreaming
05.Embraced By Fear
06.Invisible God
07.Sanctimonious
08.Haunting
09.Show Me The Way
10.Winter Hell
11.I Bow my Head In Shame
12.The Other Side
HRH
Rating: 8/10
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