SERGEANT STEEL – Mister Sippi (2023)
Hard rockers SERGEANT STEEL are back with a new album, their fifth studio record titled “Mister Sippi” to be released on June 30th, 2023, the successor to their successful ‘Truck Tales’ from 2020. SERGEANT STEEL has always worked with different influences for their interpretation of Hard Rock.
Formed in 2007, SERGEANT STEEL brand of hard rock has been inspired by the ’80s Sunset Strip scene like GUNS N’ ROSES, RATT and other stadium rock heroes such as early BON JOVI, CINDERELLA or WHITESNAKE combined with the music by legends like AEROSMITH, RAINBOW and JUDAS PRIEST.
In recent years new influences such as LYNYRD SKYNYRD and MOLLY HATCHET have been added – SERGEANT STEEL literally got to the bottom of the matter on “Mister Sippi”. Two key songs for the new album (“Down To Mississippi“, “Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool”) are a proof of the bluesy hard rock approach of the band, still mixed with ’80s swagger and radio-ready melodies.
The band has worked with top-notch producers over the years, including Beau Hill, Peter Mew from Abbey Road Studios, and Michael Wagener, whom helped to shape the band’s sound.
But “Mister Sippi” has been produced by themselves, with Wagener – now in well-deserved retirement – supervising the final mix & mastering.
Although the album has a Southern Rock feel at places, as the track list advance it hardens with crisp riffs and catchy choruses. Songs like ‘Knight’s Tale’ or ‘Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool’ have a certain Jackyl feeling, but Sergeant Steel does not forget their Sunset Strip influences: ‘Please Me, Tease Me’ and ‘One Way Ticket from Hell’ are pure ’80s hard rock akin Keel and even Warrant.
Then ‘Caught in the Web’ is another 1989 hard rocker driving by swirling layers of guitars and a sound similar to Firehouse or Helix at the time.
Singer Phil Vanderkill has a voice timbre similar to that of Jesse James Dupree during the bluesy numbers, and also very similar to that of Drew Hannah, singer of Wildside. “My Girl” is proof of this, showing off a very simple but effective acoustic ballad.
Sergeant Steel has discovered other side that fits them very well: to their 80s melodic hard rock music they added a bluesy / southern touch to some songs, resulting in a much more varied musical palette.
“Mister Sippi” should be their most complete album yet, and if you are looking for that ‘big ’80s sound’ with layers of guitars, harmony vocals and huge drums, this band is for you.
Highly Recommended
01 – Down to Mississippi
02 – Please Me, Tease Me
03 – Mama Didn’t Raise No Fool
04 – Alive
05 – My Way
06 – Knight’s Tale
07 – One Way Ticket from Hell
08 – Caught in the Web
09 – My Girl
10 – Rock Your Pants Off
Phil Vanderkill – Vocals
Jack Power – Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
Chuck Boom – Guitars, Violine, Vocals
Ben Bateman – Keyboards
Ronny Roxx – Bass
Cosy Coxx – Drums
Pre order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Mister-Sippi-Sergeant-Steel/dp/B0BXN6MQ1R
