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CRYING STEEL
Stay Steel

Pride & Joy Music (2018)
Rating: 8/10

That’s not a good album title, is it? I remember snapping up Crying Steel’s 1987 debut On The Prowl, mesmerised was I by its cover and the metallic nuances contained within. Then they were gone, splitting up in 1990, only to return – well under my rock ‘n’ roll radar – in 2003.

Since then and including this newbie, three albums have emerged, although the ship has never been steady due to numerous changes in the vocal department.

Former TNT and Shy man Tony Mills is the commander on this opus, contributing guest lead vocals, and it is he who steers this ship into calmer waters. What you basically get here is rootsy, valiant 80s-styled metal with its leaden feet firmly in the middle of the road as this Italian troupe coughs up a panorama of ditties such as ‘Speed Of Light’, ‘Name Of The Father’ and ‘Crank It Up’, all of which are rather formulaic yet as enjoyable as the 80s! You know what you’re getting with these guys, because they’ve been there and done it. From its cover to its songs, Stay Steel remains steadfast in its approach, with driving hard and meaty riffs, solid percussion and Tony Mills’ warm, yet powerhouse vocals.

In a sense, Stay Steel does live up to its title; full of bravado and assertive in its dynamics, it’s a record that gives you a good time without reverting to the cheesy. The rewards are many because there’s something so soulful about every instrument, whether in the form of Luca Ferri’s stabs on the sticks or that twin guitar attack which tend to cuddle as one in nostalgic, nightly aplomb. Hints of Judas Priest and every other solid as steel 80s band leak in – there are flecks of Saxon and Iron Maiden – but also some really sugar sweet, soaring melodies that are all underlined with a distinctive fire as ‘Raise Your Hell’ and ‘Blackout’ come charging out of the bar room and straight in for the brawl.

Other standard flag bearers of metal are opener ‘Hammerfall’ and ‘Warriors’. But it’s not just about leather, rust and nails as simple orchestration colours the melodious strains of ‘Born In The Fire’ and ‘Sail The Brave’ – both evocative and anthemic tunes of valour.

Crying Steel aren’t afraid to showcase their roots and be proud of them, but considering the amount of bands out there attempting to recreate this type of sound, why not just stick with the tried and trusted old guards who’ll get you safely to shore? Crying Steel remain a cult heavy metal act who I’ll stand by until the patches eventually fall off the ol’ denim jacket.

Neil Arnold

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