CRYING STEEL – On The Prowl + first EP [remastered] (2018)

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Alongside their new album featuring Tony Mills on lead vocals, Italian rockers CRYING STEEL are releasing a remastered version of their cult albums “On The Prowl” (1986) and their self-titled first EP (1985), plus a bonus DVD ‘Steel Alive’ captured at Wacken Open Air 2014.
For years impossible to find LP’s, a couple years ago both records were reissued by specialized label No Remorse, but now the band are relauching both for fans rejoice.

The first five tracks on this CD is the band’s first effort, the EP “Crying Steel” where the band showcased their potential, but it’s on the following material, the LP “On The Prowl”, which it’s clear why this album is considered a cult classic.
“On The Prowl” is a really good, powerful example of ’80s metal.
In opener, “No One’s Crying” there’s a thunderous rhythm section and the riffs are melodic and quite fast at the same time, conserving the hard rock style that is perfect to give the right bounce. The vocals are melodic and quite high-pitched at different moments, especially for the refrain and this adds more catchiness.

Next we have “Changing The Direction”, which indeed change the style a bit, here the approach is far more commercial hard rock with AORish keyboard touches. The track is great throughout and this shift in sound really gives you the idea of how much Crying Steel was good at this style too, without forgetting the awesome catchiness this song has.

“Struggling Alone” features a more darker style but with the quite heavy touch of the guitars. The midtempo groove contributes in raising the epic / melodic side of this song. The proper production give the right light to all the instruments but the band’s touch is enviable when it comes to create melodic / dreaming passages through arpeggios and lead guitars lines.

“Fly Away” is more dynamic for the structures without being that fast. The riffs are always excellent is style and the refrain rocks to sing-along loud and easy to be remembered. The melodic sections often contain keyboards touches to make it more interesting.

There’s a classic hard rock attitude with “Upright Smile”, a groovy midtempo rocker where the melody reaches its climax by the guitar solo, while the vocals are strongs but sometimes ‘deeper’ and almost whispered.

“The Song of Evening” is a return to speed because the bass drums beats are always with us and the riffs feature more palm muting parts even if the structure remains catchy and harmonious.
“Alone Again” is a superb metal ballad and here we can even notice the band’s skills in this style. I’m sure that if this song had been released by another band in the USA it would be famous.

“Thundergods” was the Italian metal anthem for a long time back in those days and I can understand why. Uptempo, always catchy and incredibly dynamic. The last “Shining” is another slow tune to end this solid LP, the only song more inspired by the British scene of the entire record. And a good one.

On these two ’80s records, Crying Steel showcased how good they were at their classic melodic metal / hard n’ heavy mix, easily moving between both styles with strength and quality.
Results quite amazing how the band, based in Italy in the mid-80s, was able to capture the essence of the US metal on these recordings. When most European metal bands of the era were looking at the Bristish stylings of the genre, Crying Steel sounds very American.

Listening to “On The Prowl + first EP” you’re instantly transported back in time to 1985-86. Think a harder edged very early Dokken with a metallic flavor basking in the neon lights of LA…
Really good stuff that has to be rediscovered somehow.
Highly Recommended

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

01 – Ivory Stages
02 – You Have Changed
03 – Hero
04 – Where the Rainbow Dies
05 – Runnin’ Like a Wolf
06 – No One’s Crying
07 – Changing the Direction
08 – Struggling Along
09 – Fly Away
10 – Upright Smile
11 – The Song of Evening
12 – Alone Again
13 – Thundergods
14 – Shining

Luca Bonzagni – Vocals
Franco Nipoti – Guitars
Alberto Simonini – Guitars, Guitar Synth, Backing Vocals
Angelo Franchini – Bass
Luca Ferri – Drums

BUY IT !
www.rockavenuerecords.com/SHOP/RAR-10715.html
www.cryingsteel.altervista.org/news/steelalive
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