Steelwings – Still Rising

Steelwings
Still Rising
Label: Pure Steel Records
Out: November 25^th, 2022
Playing time: 45:50

It was almost three years ago. The Swedes from Steelwings celebrated an impressive comeback. Thirty years after their debut, “Back” was released. I interviewed the band shortly afterwards. Now Steelwings have released the follow-up “Still Rising”. Fortunately, there was no change in the band in the past time. Only the label was changed. Now the band is signed to Pure Steel Records, a division of Soulfood Music.

Right at the beginning are the two bangers “Hell Or High Water” and “Stand Up And Fight”. There’s no better way to start the album. Old School Heavy Metal at its best. Heavy riffs, choruses to sing along to and singer Tommy Söderström in top form. This is High Energy Metal of the 1980s. Somewhere in the intersection of AC/DC, Saxon and Rose Tattoo (but without slide guitar). However, the Swedes can’t maintain this energy over the entire playing time. The rhythmic “Break Of Day” is a bit calmer, without losing any of the heaviness. This song could have been on a Saxon album. Just like the later following “Like A Shadow In The Night”. In between, there are some AC/DC quotes in “Hey Hey”. At “Rocket” a rocket launch countdown is counted down. What follows is pure, straightforward Rock’n’Roll. With “My Rock’n Roll”, this genre designation is even in the song title. The midtempo rocker “Rock On” lives from the pounding drum rhythm and the guitar hooks. And of course the excellent guitar solo. The guitar playing of “Easy To Go” reminds one a little of Led Zeppelin. But Jimmy Page played in a completely different league despite all that. The hymn “Heat Of The Night” brings a good album to its end.

OK OK. The Swedes pulled off a surprise coup in 2019 with “Back”. The current album cannot quite keep up. And not only because of the cheesy cover. For Steelwings, everyday life has returned. But that doesn’t mean that “Still Rising” is a bad album. Quite the opposite. I also like this album very much. And many other bands would be happy to put such an album on the market. I can only warmly recommend “Still Rising”.

Steelwings – Hell or High Water: https://youtu.be/PQPnm7rct_s

Lineup:

Tommy Söderström – Vocals
Michael Lindman – Guitars
Gert-Inge Gustafsson – Guitars
Peter Fredriksson – Bass
Marcus Fritiofsson – Drums

Track list:

• Hell Or High Water
• Stand Up And Fight
• Break Of Day
• Hey Hey
• Like A Shadow In The Night
• Rocket
• My Rock’n Roll
• Rock On
• Easy To Go
• Heat Of The Night