Crying Steel
The Steel Is Back

    Steel is back!! That's what the title of the latest effort by Bologna's Crying Steel, old glory of the tricolor metal, tells us. The album, practically the second in their discography, was released this summer, exactly 20 years after the famous "On The Prowl", back in 1987.

    First of all, before talking about the tracks, I would like to say a few words about the cover: in an interview, when the journalist pointed out to them that the cover wasn't exactly the most exciting (and it's true!), they replied that it had actually been lost (or destroyed? would you believe it?) along with the projects a few days before the album's announced release, and they didn't have time to redo it, so they reluctantly used one of their promo photos as the cover!! But, as is known, the image is nothing, the content is everything (today I'm in the mood for clichés), so I'll immediately talk about the songs.

    The band, as can be seen from the tracks, has covered (or at least tried to) their '80s and Judas Priest-like tendencies with a power-metal sheen that gives the result much more aggressiveness, but doesn't hide the aforementioned influences. Some might talk about psychological subjection to their models (the Judas, indeed), but in my opinion, there has been a step forward, a change (after all, they had twenty years to think about it). The first track we encounter is "Kill Them All", a punch in the face from the start, to make the listener understand, whether a newcomer or a veteran of the glorious '80s, what their intentions are: fast and tight riffs and a precise, strong, and compact rhythm section, very powerful, the real strength of the entire record, consisting of Luca Ferri on drums, Angelo Franchini on bass, and Franco Nipoti on rhythm guitar. Worth noting is Luca Bonzagni's voice, which doesn't seem to have aged 20 years, perhaps not even 2: his voice is clean, high-pitched, and youthful as in the days of "On The Prowl", incredible!! Following is "Over My Sins", a slower track but more menacing, somewhat in the style of Accept in its progress, with a nice solo by Alberto Simonini. The following "Raptor" is perhaps the best piece of the album, along with the previous one; it also seems, according to Crying Steel themselves, that the piece was composed in their early years of activity. The song is well-made, with a catchy, anthemic refrain, and another solo worthy of Simonini's name. Next is "Hold Her", another track composed in the past, vaguely hard-rockish, the track that perhaps most betrays their musical origins. "Next Time Don't Lie" is a nice track in every respect, fast, aggressive, but to me, it gives a strange sense of déjà vu (and not on other records but in the previous tracks), however, this doesn't detract from the immense energy of the track. Next is "Let It Down", another homage to the past, a song that sounds very much like an '80s street song, even in the solo, clearly NWOBHM influenced, influences and styles can also be found in the subsequent "Three Times", despite the power infused by the rhythm section, especially in the final phase, which would like to take the track towards power shores... but it doesn't! "Night Owl" also overflows a bit into the already heard (it resembles "Raptor" in the initial part) and brings us back to the typical melodies of the past, but, let's be honest, we don't mind it this time (at least, I don't!). "Hands High" is very engaging, especially in the refrain and features a solo in full Judas Priest style, with the guitars dialoguing and finally joining in harmony (for clarifications listen to the solo in "Freewheel Burning" by the Birmingham band). The last piece, "Agony", introduced by a brief drum attack, vaguely recalls certain intuitions of Vanadium's "Nel Cuore Del Caos", or Vanexa's prog period of "Against The Sun": it's a less driving track, which concludes with a very fast solo. Ultimately, the album is pleasantly listenable and the production is good, although perhaps the sound is a bit too clean for my tastes.

    This album marks the return to the scene for this historic Bologna band, present and active since the early days of our local Metal. Crying Steel today plays like today is played, but their tracks ooze with the experience of the '80s, sometimes even a bit too much. Some have accused them of clinging like teenagers to their youthful idols, particularly Judas Priest, and of not wanting to grow up; I don't want to judge, but I think that even if it were true, there would be nothing wrong with it (perhaps because I'm young too). After all, Crying Steel doesn't want to impose their way of thinking and conceiving music by preaching it as the "true" Metal: they remained off the scene for 20 years, and if the Crying Steel has now returned, it's only for passion, and if their passion is the same as 20 years ago, they are welcome!! If music is meant to express oneself and they want to express this, I'm on their side!!

    Well, now that I've finished, I apologize for the speech: I hope I haven't bored or offended anyone. Until next time!