If you want some good old fashioned Hard Rock with lashings of early 80’s flavour then this is something you might want to have a listen to. Sweden’s Steelwings are unapologetically retro from openers ‘My Rock Is Hot’ and ‘Walk On Water’ to the final notes of ‘I Wont Let You Go Away.’
There a bit of NWOBHM, a bit of Priest, and a hit of Accept and Saxon in there and a sound that straddles that Hard Rock/Heavy Meal divide that was so fluid in the early 80’s. So knowing nothing of the band at all I wasn’t surprised to read after I’d made my note for the review that they formed in 1982.
This release though, is new and as an introduction its great with vocalist Tommy Söderström taking your attention from the off with his vocal mix of Bon Scott and Rob Halford. But it’s the guitars of Michael Lindman and Gert-Inge Gustafsson that really drive songs like ‘Death Or Gold.’
Some great songs, a nice consistency and some great production make this a great one to check out. Start at the beginning or slip right into ‘Walk In The Sky’ one of my picks here – a great mid-tempo rocker that has elements of ballad and smouldering anthem. Add tracks like the AC/DC-channeling ‘Back On The Road’, and the other mid-tempo work out ‘Ride On’ and you’ve got a heck of an album on your hands.
Tracklisting: 1. My Rock is Hot | 2. Walk on Water |3. Nightmare | 4. Death or Gold | 5. Walk in the Sky | 6. Rock the Nation | 7. Back on the Road | 8. All Night | 9. Rock My Soul | 10. She Knows what it Takes | 11. Ride On | 12. Won’t Let You Go Away