Steelwing-Zone Of Alienation

Noiseart Records
2012

Swedish metal band Steelwing are one of those acts that like to pretend they are a product of the eighties. As Metal Mark pointed out in his review of their debut album, "Lord Of The Wasteland" (link provided below) their sound was born out of groups like Iron Maiden, Saxon and Anvil. Following their 2010 EP ("Roadkill (Or Be Killed)" which included two Judas Priest covers-another influence) the group set out recording this new concept album. For their sophomore release the group choose to work with producer Rikard Löfgren (Deathstars, Manakin and Enforcer) and the result is another fine example of NWOTHM (New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal). Who wouldn't appreciate a young group like this who pays tribute (through their music) to groups like Dio, Megadeth, Riot and Omen? This is the sound of heavy metal at it's finest from a band that no doubt grew up spinning all the classics in their bedrooms. It might not be groundbreaking or anything you haven't heard before. If your willing to move past that thought for a moment you will find that what you have with Steelwing is a young group that is actually playing heavy metal. Good, old fashioned heavy metal. That alone isn't a novelty per say I know. With so many bands these days trying to recapture that old sound the market actually has been flooded. What with Enforcer, White Wizzard and the like. What strikes me though about Steelwing is the fact that it doesn't come off as cheesy or retro even if this sound was made famous in the eighties. Instead it comes across as modern metal influenced by older metal. And since the band is made up of top-notch musicians and a lead vocalist who can hold his own this concept album proves to be a winner. This is a great sophomore release from a band on the rise.

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Steelwing-Lord+of+the+wastleand+