Steelheart
Good 2B Alive

THE STORY

Michael Matijevic is considered one of the best singers of the hair metal scene, (watch to believe the video of "She's Gone" Unplugged), but with his Steelheart he had the misfortune to arrive late, when the grunge scene was taking off and the era of teased hair was being outclassed by plaid shirts.

And so, after two good albums (the self-titled in '90 and "Tangled in Reins" in '92) the band broke up, partly due to a serious accident (broken nose, cheeks, jaw, spinal injury, and 28 stitches on the nape: holy crap!) that happened to Mijatevic during a concert and the consequent long rehabilitation. In 1996 the miraculously recovered Michael returned with the album "Wait", distributed only in Asia and definitely inferior to the first two. At this point, Stellheart as a band disappears from circulation, Michael gets appreciated for performing some tracks for the soundtrack of the movie "Rockstar" in 2001, while in 2003 there was a rumor wanting him as the frontman of Velvet Revolver instead of Scott Weiland (Which I wouldn’t have minded).

THE RETURN

Modern look, renewed sound, and a brand new band: these are the ingredients chosen by Michael Matijevic to get back in the game.

"Good 2B Alive" sees the light in 2008:

A scream introduces "Samurai", an almost post-grunge track with powerful guitars and catchy rhythm; the following "LOL" is a Soundgarden-like piece, the most adrenaline-pumping episode (the video is also great... With a stellar hottie); "Buried Unkind" and "Twisted Future" are two excellent mid-tempos with a nostalgic flavor, the right balance between the band's past and present. The next "Shine Light For Me" is a semi-ballad, introduced by a piano, alternating moments of romance with others of anger, a great composition.

"I Breathe" is the third mid-tempo of the album, good but inferior to the first two, followed by the not very successful "Underground" and "You Showed Me How To Love", a power ballad not entirely convincing to my taste. The closure is up to the double version of "Good 2B Alive": the first sharp and cadenced and the second totally acoustic. Of the two, I definitely prefer the acoustic one, embellished with strings and choruses, it is the true ballad of the CD and perhaps the best track.

A good return for Steelheart, a pleasant album with few tone drops: approved.

3 with distinction.