Zeelion
Steel Attack

December 2006
Released: 2006, Lion Music
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: MetalChick

Stratovarius of the good old days is brought back to life in Zeelion. And by 'good old days' I mean their early 90s material. I can't call it metal, but I don't want to call it rock either. It's okay to be on the fence here, because all that matters is that these Scandinavians create some killer guitar melodies, stellar solos, and all around catchy songs.



The first impression Zeelion gives as the album starts is power metal-ish: fast paced with guitar-keyboard duel solos. "I Remember" is more in the rock vein, so catchy it's addicting, with one of the coolest sing-a-long vocal melodies in the verses. The songs that remind me of early Stratovarius are "Steel Attack," "Shadows," and "Kingdom of Dreams." "Shadows" is incredibly similar to something you'd find on FRIGHT NIGHT or TWILIGHT TIME – old school stuff. "Kingdom of Dreams" is the best on the album, combining power metal keyboard tones with straightforward rock riffs and vocals.



They had to spoil all the greatness they had going with a horribly cheesy rock tune, "Black Hearted Woman." The synths are a blast from the 80s, not to mention the lyrics (the title says it all, no?). But one sour song isn't enough to bring down nine other great ones. Zeelion is a nice break from the heaviness of metal without reverting to wimpy rock.