Steel Panther ‘Heavy Metal Rules’
Album Review By Adam McCann
Steel Panther Inc./Glam Metal
It’s undeniable that Steel Panther made an infamous name for themselves with their blue tongue in cheek, comedic delivery in the style of Sunset Strip in the mid 80’s to the early 90’s. The band had heavy metal fans laughing throughout the world with anthems like ‘Death To All But Metal’, ‘Eyes Of A Panther’ and ‘Community Property’; yet since then, a steady stream of albums and ten years have elapsed with Steel Panther having released ‘Heavy Metal Rules’, their fifth and latest album.
There is no doubt with ‘Heavy Metal Rules’ that Steel Panther stick firmly to their guns; they know exactly what they’re after and they know their audience very well. This means that the album powers forward full throttle with all the bloated excess of 1989, rocking anthems and emotional power ballads that show the musical talent that Steel Panther are capable of, particularly with Satchel’s guitar playing. This means that tracks such as ‘Let’s Get High Tonight’ and ‘I Ain’t Buying What You’re Selling’ have all the qualities of David Lee Roth in his prime, whilst it is certain that tracks such as ‘Always Gonna Be A Ho’ and the title track will fit perfectly amongst the already brimming Steel Panther live catalogue with all the MTV enjoyability of Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe or Aerosmith.
However, it can’t be helped thinking that with this album, Steel Panther are beginning to scrape the barrel of ideas; what was once amusing is becoming a little banal as the band rehash and tread upon already well-worn ground. But, what Steel Panther have delivered with ‘Heavy Metal Rules’ is another album of amusing, enjoyable glam metal that may just be a little more disposable than their previous efforts.
Rating : 74/100
MHF Magazine/Adam McCann
