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Steel Kingdom’s music has been reviewed by publications and websites across the globe.
Several are listed below, along with links to the original postings.
Growing up a teenager (and that's several decades ago), I already was hooked on
the almighty forces of US Metal ranges from Bay Area Speed / Thrash Metal over
Classic Heavy / Power Metal - be sure, I won't forget the old school Hard Rock
scene either! Take it for what it's worth but for me - Because of my
everlasting passion for the scene, there will be no Metal like US Metal to me!
I tell you about this due to my next review has everything to do this type of
Metal also - I'm really pleased spreading the words of Steel Kingdom, a
strongful quintet from New York!.
''Reforged / Refined'' must be their second effort ever released - speaking for
myself, this album is also my first touch with these guys. Found via Myspace
and I'm a lucky bastard they'll give me the opportunity writing down the review
this great output, released in 2008 actually. Steel Kingdom is quite unique in
its genre - okay, I'd like to define as US Metal in general but their music
show some branches to other genres too. As I heard on the album, slices from
the world of Prog, Sympho Power Metal are audible for sure. Steel Kingdom isn't
a band that follows the mainstream or modern ways of Metal... no way - their
stuff is for real, sounds totally underground and I'm feeling good all about
that! Maybe they'll never catch an international deal to expand their fanbase
world wide but their style of music is only made for all those die-hard US
Metal maniacs appear with a burning passion for this scene!
Remarkable for Steel Kingdom is the band's strong line up featuring awesome
musicians... watch out for the unique voice of Sean Williams first of all,
searching for a great US Metal shouter, you've got one here. Axeman Mike Caputo
offers venomous guitar tricks over the entire album... worshippers of axe
shredding tactics are warned. TK Kennedy's drum tactics to sound devastating
(this guy is the owner of a real unique style of drumming, watch out for it!).
The rest of the line up looks like: Steve Mieszala (keyboards), Herb Renke
(Bass). Consisting out of well trained musicians, I've really have a good
looking eye for Steel Kingdom. In other words, very tasteful for all those
having a special connection with US Metal.
First up is the song 'Lost' and hits me in the face right away - Progressive /
Symphonic Power Metal the American way, own styled / characterised - great
song! More up tempo rhythms appear during the song 'The Ties That Bind' can be
announced as... first pure US Metal thrill. With a very early eighties touch
comes 'Believe' and to hold on the musical varieties up high they surprised me
with a song called 'The Storm In Me'... Hard Rock spiced with fusion elements,
check it out and enjoy! Okay, more blasting powers during the instrumental
'There Is A Time' - another kick in the head. 'Beyond The Veil' delivers nice
and tender emotions... listen closely and be a witness to great acoustic guitar
use. 'Tempted' and 'Face Your Fear' seems to be the right ones to make an end
of this US Metal journey.
Released through Prism Break Records, an independent label owned by the members
of SK themselves - I'm pleased with a product like this. I just want to say it
once again - this is a typical example of how Underground US Metal would have
sound. I assume that efforts like this are not made for the mainstream
minded... if you're a fan of bands like Aspire, Mindwarp Chamber or Troll, go
check out Steel Kingdom too via their official homepage: www.steelkindgom.com or via myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/steelkingdom... after all, convince yourself how good
these guys really are!
Good point to mention is that the band is pretty busy completing new songs for a
follow up. They've planned to enter the recording studio later on 2009 in hope
to unleash a brand new work somewhere in 2010. Good to know for me and be sure
- the new Steel Kingdom album is already on my list of forthcoming albums to
review. MY POINTS: 88 / 100
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Here is an American group of the State of New York offers his second album in
the bag very European.
For the content, the group earned me a few cold sweats, nothing to think that I
have to describe what I mean! Not that the content is bad or uninteresting, but
because the influences are so varied that I am afraid not to be very precise
(hopefully you will have the Myspace group that offers four titles including a
first album Heavy seems much more).
To begin, here are some influences claimed STEEL KINGDOM, METAL CHURCH,
RHAPSODY, SLAYER, RUSH, DREAM THEATER, or SONATA ARCTICA MOTORHEAD ...
You better understand my apprehension to be precise in my analysis!
But you have to start ... and start with generalities.
STEEL KINGDOM is a group of Heavy Metal that's for sure. It uses sound
voluntarily "stripped" or "old school" which recalls the top 80 in the
Underground. The musicians are very good and engage in more complex
compositions (on a traditional Heavy Metal). There is a ballad dispensable, two
titles very (too much for me) progressive, singing is in a "spice" that the
family j'assimilerai "Marc Shelton," even if Sean WILLIAMS has his own voice.
The production is good and mixing. There is a keyboard that accompanies each
title with varying degrees of intensity: a keyboard, rather like the dark mood
of the album.
For my personal note it took me five good taps to enter the atmosphere and the
universe of the group and that the securities Lost, The Ties that bind,
Believe, calm The Storm in me, Price you pay, and Tempted Face your fears
people that I prefer (because more Heavy Metal).
I recommend this album to open more of you, especially for those who are
departing fans porcupine Heavy Metal (for its change of pace, his hand
sometimes psychedelic limit). The rhythm can be Thrash, Heavy or program in the
titles. Some
soli passages remind me destructured by far one Culprit (Guilty as Charged 1983)
and more current. Moreover, the drummer, KENNEDY TK is really a great drummer
that you feel very involved in the construction of the securities. That's
to this description Reforged Refined which leaves me a mixed feeling, there is
so that I can say I love, but it lacks the little thing that will tip the
balance on the right side. I would simply say that STEEL KINGDOM has a real
identity but still needs to refine his style to convince the greatest number.
Do you think you are fast on their Myspace!
Style: Epic Heavy / Thrash
Prog sometimes Artistic Part: 3 / 5
Interest to Fans of 80's Heavy Metal: 3 / 5
Interest in traditional metal fans in general: 4 / 5
RASKAL The French Warrior gives as note: 15/20
RASKAL gives as Objective note: 17/20
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Their band bio says it best – “Using more than one style, Steel Kingdom has created an original sound, and mix
up playing rock, metal, and power metal with climatic ballads, all in one set.” I could not have said it better myself.
Rochester’s own Steel Kingdom has crafted a brand of music not usually seen on such a
small scale as a local venue. Steel Kingdom’s music is so grandiose that it seems better fitted for arenas and
amphitheatres, not dives and local clubs. They have pinpointed a niche metal
sound that, in Western New York at least, is a vein yet to be tapped.
Their overall sound is much akin to that of Megadeth, Symphony X, Dream Theater,
Sonata Artica, Stratovarious and Iron Maiden. Steel Kingdom combines some good
power metal elements with the unforgettable, over-the-top 80’s arena rock sound. They mix chugging, chunky guitar riffing with huge,
brilliant drum work, ethereal, black/goth metal sounding keys and a vocal range
that can hit any note on the spectrum.
Currently, these guys can be heard on Sirius satellite radio (seriously, I’m not making that up) and local programming too. They can also be seen at a
local venue near you. Make sure you check them out at
www.myspace.com/steelkingdom.
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It makes me glad to review here the second release of this Rochester/NY based
quintett. Of course the group didn´t changed their style. Similar as on their impressive debut album from 2004
joins the group again the traditionell US-Metal style. Maybe the only
difference is that some of the new numbers tendence in a more US Power Metal
oriantated dirrection. Of course there are also changes in the line up too.
From the old line up is only the charismatic vocalist SEAN WILLIAMS and his
companion TK KENNEDY on the drums still active. The new guitarist which kicks
the band to another limit is MIKE CAPUTO. On the position of the four strings
agitates HERB RENKE. Also new is the addition of a keyboarder. But no fear
STEVE MIESZALA does his job decent. Remember I wrote above the band is in the
US-Metal / Power Metal circle. So was and will it be by STEEL KINGDOM !!! So
let´s start fo focus our attention on the new album. I remember as I watched in the
past the cover of the debut I couldn´t imagine that behind this unspectacular picture hides an US-Metal band. Now on
REFORGED REFIEND didn´t made the group the same mistake again. One look at the artwork and there will
be no more questions about the musically dirrection. The message is now clear.
The opening track LOST starts theis recording with a lot of energy and place
the band somewhere between the fine borderline of US Metal and Power Metal.
Better couldn´t start this disc. THE TIES THAT BIND is a catchy timeless US-Metal runner. An
absolute great midtempo running number follows with BELIEVE. Oh yes, there
returns similar as in some great tunes from the debut a little bit the feeling
of the famous old SAVATAGE. At the borderline to US-Power Metal acts the fast
arranged FORTUNE TELLER. In the same dirrection strikes then the superb
arranged cut TIME. The following slow arranged THE STORM IN ME didn´t con vince me at all. Some boring choruslines and cheesy accords let me skip
fast to the next one. Uhh, of luck find the boys back to the path of their real
talent. Powerfull US Metal !!! By the way this tune with the title THERE IS A
TIME is a complex and overhelming instrumental. But be sure that this one will
keep your full attention. In other words it works brilliant. But no, what goes
on with BEYOND THE VEIL follows a fragile little ballad. Of course this one isn´t bad but I awaited another metal blast. After this delay convince finally
really another great midtempo US Metal track our lost souls. This one firms
under the promising title PRICE YOU PAY and could be describe as a phenomenal
mix of the old SAVATAGE / LIZZY BORDEN. Especially the famous and tecnical on
high standard celebrated guitarwork by MIKE CAPUTO made this cut to an
outstanding adventure. Another great monumental midtempo grinding number with
epic undertunes follows with the title TEMPTED. The mystic feeling inside this
composition is really all the running time mysterious. US Metal to the maximum
delivers us FACE YOUR FEAR finally too. At least rise this piece of blistering
metal once again to a top number on this good release. My only desire for the
future is that the band continues constant in their style at this high level.
No more fillers like THE STORM IN ME and the next release will be a real
killer. You can check out some snipnets and infos inside
www.myspace.com/STEELKINGDOM or at their regular website under
www.SteelKingdom.net and perhaps also ordering infos at their company
www.PrismBreakRecords.com too. By the way the album is also into the
distribution of www.CDBABY.com . I´m not sure if the band still sells their good debut album. But maybe it´s still available too. So don´t miss it to complete your collection with another collectable diamond. article
by Gerald Mittinger
All website contents ©2011 Steel Kingdom