Steel
Heavy Metal Machine

April 1999
Released: 1998, Near Dark Productions
Rating: 3.0/5
Reviewer: Nathan Robinson

"Steeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!!!!!!!" The name says it all…classic power metal! Steel was formed by Dan Swano (ex-Edge of Sanity) and Mikael Akerfelt (Opeth) during the recording sessions for Opeth's "Morningrise" album, back in 1996. While taking a break, they decided to write a heavy metal song. Moments later, the song "Guitars and Metal" was recorded and Steel was born! Friends of theirs begged them to write more Steel songs, and three more songs were written and recorded. Although these songs were meant to be demo material, Near Dark Productions wanted to release two on a limited edition picture 7", which Dan and Mike agreed to. The two songs included are "Heavy Metal Machine" and "Rock Tonite"! Man, this 7" could have come from 1985 and you would never know the difference! Everything about these two songs resembles old power metal! "Heavy Metal Machine" is a fast one, with tons of double bass, high-pitched vocals, show-off guitar solos, and other '80's types of things (like a police siren for instance). "Rock Tonite" is a mid-paced song, which sounds just like "Proud to be Loud" off Pantera's "Power Metal" album! Even the production on this 7" sounds exactly like the '80s!! Honest!! These two songs are hilarious, and should not be taken seriously! I don't even like '80's power metal, but I like this 7" because it's fun, and I am a huge Dan Swano and Mike Akerfelt fan.