Steelwing - Zone Of Alienation

Is there any sound that the Swedes cannot master? Seriously, you only have to look at what has come out in the last five years or more to see that they can master any old school style. Look at the likes of Witchcraft, Graveyard, Burning Saviours, Horisont and more who have been able to master that old school (stoner) rock sound, like they were locked away 40 years and released when that sound was looking done. All the old school death metal bands forming (Morbus Chron, Mordant, Bastard Priest, etc) or reforming (Entrails, Interment, etc) and bringing back that classic swedish death metal sound.

Now in the last few years, we have seen the likes of Portrait, In Solitude, Enforcer and others come along who sound like they were locked away for 30 years, only to be brought back when it seemed like old school metal is dead. Add Steelwing to that list as their new album 'Zone Of Alienation' is one really cool old school metal album.

This is choc full of catchy galloping riffs, twin leading to make it feel a little Maiden-esque (even the following bass lines feels Maiden) and wicked solos. I like how the guitars are given their time to lead the way in songs (Eg: title track 'Zone Of Alienation'). A bit like how Bruce Dickinson would take a step back and let the guitars do the talking for a moment in the songs. Great times to sit back and admire the playing and transitioning between the lead work and solos. Both guitarists have their moments of glory.

I like the vocals of Riley. The the sound of the guitars, he has a bit of a scratch to his singing which for me, adds a little bit of a raw edge which helps take away a lot of the 'cheese' factor it could have had if it say had the production of a lot of todays power metal bands. A lot of good variation and at times helps capture that 'moment' in a song when I can nod with great approval, like the chorus in 'Solar Wind Riders' or 'Full Speed Ahead' for example. And the way he finishes on the epic 'Lunacy Rising'.. Fuck yeah! Towards then end you think he is gonna scream his vocal chords out.

The awesome album cover would help what I am picturing when listening to this album. Like being stuck in the middle of some cheesy sci-fi/action film with this sound track playing from the skies. Or this should be the album blaring through the room during a laser skirmish war.. not the shit house pop music that is usually playing.

I don't like to try a compare to the classics but I like how Steelwing has that different feel to the likes of Portrait, In Solitude, Enforcer and co. Steelwing comes off as more Priest/Maiden like where as Portrait and In Solitude are more darker, reminding me of Mercyful Fate and then Enforcer comes across as more older Scorpions. 'Zone Of Alienation' has certainly received more spins from me than 'The Final Frontier' and 'Nostradamus' (like that isn't hard to believe anyway hehe) has together if that gives any indication how much I like this album. Wicked!

Ikil