Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Metalsteel
Label: On Parole Productions
Release: 2010
Runtime: 38:00
Rating: 4.5/5
It’s not that long ago that the heavy metal “greenhorns” Metalsteel from Medvode introduced themselves to the wider Slovenian metal crowd with the video for Novi svet, off their first album Usoda. But anyone who thought back then that Metalsteel were just snot-nosed kids, a flash in the pan looking to live out teenage rebellion fantasies through heavy music, was dead wrong. Usoda still sounds fresh today, the songs clearly show how talented the young band already was, and the album also delivered a much-needed kick in the ass to Slovenian heavy metal. In the meantime Metalsteel have grown up, become one of the busiest domestic metal outfits (in the studio and on stage!), tasted sin and misbehaved in bed, and now here we are with their fourth studio record, Entertainment.
The first thing you notice, right after the mystical intro and with the first song Life Story, is that on Entertainment Metalsteel return to the old paths of tougher, sharper heavy metal. If on the previous album Bad in Bed they toyed with softer sounds, and above all with hard rock moves and dirty, slightly naughty glam metal, then Entertainment is a kind of logical follow-up that should have come right after the second record, Taste the Sin. Maybe the band’s work with the legend of American power metal James Rivera (Helstar, Seven Witches, Destiny’s End and others) on his “tribute” project Sabbath Judas Sabbath is, intentionally or not, partly to blame for the heavier sound this time around, and Mr. Rivera lends his phenomenal voice to the crushing heavy metal beast Let Me Be Your Guide too. Production-wise, Metalsteel also didn’t repeat the biggest mistake that plagued their predecessor: this time they handled the production themselves, using modern technology instead of recording to reel-to-reel tape. That means the instruments sound just the way they should; the drums crack the way they should despite a simple foundation, the bass has a wonderfully full sound, and the riffs cut and chop without mercy. The guitar parts are once again pushed slightly to the front, only now the riffs are even stronger and more intricate, delivered in precisely measured bursts. Every song can thus boast its own central riff, unique to that one track, and the same goes for the solos. On Entertainment they’re far more thought-out than before and make a nice connective tissue between verses and choruses, with Rok and Beny proving that they’re becoming a better and better guitar duo. The progress is clearly audible in other departments too, especially the vocals, as Beny keeps developing an ever stronger and more recognizable voice that roams over extremely dynamic vocal lines, while the ever-present, reliable Metalsteel backing vocals add even more power and pomp. It’s a superbly tight crew, rounded out by a colorful rhythm section that really flexes under the weight of dynamic, solid bass lines, and together they’ve managed to breathe a distinct identity into every single song on the record. The tension and adrenaline come from mighty, catchy choruses that will no doubt go down a storm live, and it’s great to hear that the energy doesn’t fade toward the end of the album, if anything the opposite, as Entertainment only reaches its true peak with the last three songs. That’s far from saying the quality of the songs wobbles: apart from the worn-out theme of United By Metal, which we could easily have lived without, there are no major or drastic dips. From the first moment to the last, Entertainment serves up pure heavy metal fun!
With Entertainment, Metalsteel prove they’re nowhere near running out of steam, and what’s more, the new record nicely suggests that the girl and the guys are only now reaching their peak. With their fourth record the band keeps, but also develops and builds on, their recognizable and unique sound, and the sober, carefully crafted arrangements are a huge step forward that only enrich the already full sound of the champions of Slovenian heavy metal. With the new album Metalsteel run you over without mercy like the evil little train that grins ominously from the cover; hop on for the ride, Metalsteel are here to entertain. And with excellent heavy metal at that!
Lineup
Benjamin Kic – vocals, guitar
Rok Tomšič – guitar
Matej Sušnik – bass
Daša Trampuš – drums
Production
Benjamin Kic and Metalsteel
Tracklist
1. Intro – The Ode to Epicurus
2. Life Story
3. One More Shot
4. Candy Eyes
5. United By Metal
6. No Time to Cry
7. I Like
8. Entertainment
9. Let Me Be Your Guide (feat. James Rivera)
10. The Trip
