Watch out! Because this is coming hard and fast. High-octane rocking heavy metal is what Steel Road offer on their debut release, 'Highway Homicide' EP, containing five songs to take onto your ride and blast your way to freedom! Their logo looks like something taken from a 1980's arcade game cabinet and I'm loving it; this has nothing similar with DragonForce, mind you (known for their retro arcade cabinets in their stage show).

The music sounds like it is coming from 1980's too. In a good way, as it's about rock and heavy metal. The band consists of Irish and US guys, from thrash bands Amok and Thrashquatch, and a lead guitar player with no other bands listed in his résumé. You certainly can hear a pinch of thrash metal in here. Thin Lizzy's spirit lives here rather strongly, in guitar harmonies and soaring lead guitar work, and strong bass guitar presence, plus not dismissing that Irish folk music influence on the closing track. Shit, we'll never know how Thin Lizzy would have sounded after more heavy metal tinged 'Thunder and Lightning' (their final album, from 1983)... They give it more metallic finish with double kick drumming. It's easy to mention names like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden here, too.

The vocals have pretty limited range to them, and are quite low in general. Clean and rougher voices are used, but none are very powerful (at times, multiple vocal tracks are happening, probably because of that, as well as some reverb here and there). To me, Death Angel's spin-off band The Organization comes to my while hearing the cleans. They aren't bad, and at times prove to be rather unique.

There's no real deficiencies to be found in the production job. There's modern punch to it, but it sounds organic all way through. Okay, the vocal are a bit loud in the mix... The songwriting isn't marvelous, but works: It could be tighter and catchier, and I feel that some vocal lines aren't up to music. However, it's not low in energy levels and there's some tasty riffs and soloing. They just need more miles on highway and I believe it's getting better after each one that's eaten. So, every rocking heavy metal maniac should inspect this debut and see if they'd get juggernaut-ed!

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/09/2024 20:32