STEEL RAISER – Acciaio

Acciaio is the fourth album release from Italian Heavy Metal Band Steel Raiser. Formed in 2007, the current Steel Raiser line up consists of vocalist Alfonso Giordono, guitarists Gian Luca Rossi and Guiseppe Seminara, bassist Salvo Pizzimento, and drummer Carlos Cantatore. There is also quite a bit of keyboard included on Acciaio, but it is uncredited. Which is a shame, because it’s one of the better parts of this lackluster record. The album begins with “The Fourth Seal”, an instrumental intro that really proves unnecessary. It’s not bad, but it’s not anything special. The remaining 12 tracks are easily categorized the same way. This record needed a producer. The songs are decent. The production is just ok. Another set of ears, critically listening would have done wonders for the finished product.

Giordono has a great voice, but there are several high notes throughout the just don’t quite make it to pitch. Especially in backing vocals. The rhythm guitars are fine, but the sound is harsh. The lead guitar is unimpressive most of the time. Poorly thought out solos, pitchy bends and vibrato. Attempts at speed that come up short. Tis record sounds like one of the really good local bands in your hometown, but nowhere near a national level release. “Ghengis Khan” is cringeworthy. “Up The Fist” and “Demon Angel” are probably the best tracks Acciaio has to offer, and even they are plagued with pitchiness. The bar is high these days for killer Heavy Metal, and Acciaio falls well short. 

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