WINGS OF STEEL was introduced to us in 2022 with the 5-track βWings of Steelβ debut EP. It was a very pleasant surprise back then as some of the songs had a truly original 80s metal sound. It is a nice chance to recall that EP now that the band is releasing its first full-length album.
The album had left us speechless with βStormchildβ, βWings of Steelβ and βBlack Out the Streetβ. Those three songs had incredible melodies that sounded like LEATHERWOLF was meeting with RIOT and early SKID ROW. The choruses of the three songs were amazing, really catchy and easy to sing along. If we add the great vocals of Leo Unnermark, it is clear to see why that small sample of songs turned the focus on the band.
Besides the three tracks that we mentioned, the album contained two more songs, βRhythm of Desireβ and βKhamsin Ridersβ. The first one revealed the hard rock/melodic metal face of the band which showed to us that we shouldnβt expect from WINGS OF STEEL heavy/power metal anthems only, but also hard & heavy tracks that seem to attract the band members equally. The second track, βKhamsin Ridersβ was an acoustic atmospheric ballad, in the vein of similar ballads that many glam/sleaze bands had recorded when they wanted to slow things down.
One year later, the three metal songs of the EP still sound great, and perhaps some will like them even more than the respective heavy/power metal songs of the debut LP, as they have some melodies and choruses that the band didnβt unfortunately repeat in the new album. In any case, the EP (and the new LP) have plenty of good songs which can make us say safely that WINGS OF STEEL is one of the most promising bands of this era.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.