STEEL PROPHET „Beware”

Power Metal
48.03 (10 songs)
Cool songs: Beware, Tansfusion Vamp, Leatherette, Political Greed
www.steelprophet.com

The title of this album says it all really. As much as my curiosity was piqued at the prospect of hearing this new effort from Steel Prophet, particularly with the addition of former London vocalist Nadir D’Preist assuming duties from Rick Mythiasin, the whole thing has come off as a massive disappointment. Seems as Rick may have smelt the whiff of mediocrity infest the ranks after more than a decade busting his balls for this outfit. Steel Prophet are one of those long suffering, hard working, yet thoroughly middle tier power metal bands who stir a bit of interest with every release and then are just as quickly forgotten. Hitting their zenith with albums like ‘Dark Hallucinations’ and ‘Messiah’, creative tensions and line up changes have had a dramatic impact on this band and as much as they obviously try, ‘Beware’ falls dreadfully short of the mark. Other than some killer artwork, D’Preist is the only shining light amongst an album full of errors. Massacre records have virtually killed the band with a seriously damning production, one that renders any remotely metallic riff work ineffectual to the point of madness. I can’t believe the dull, lifeless mix that has been afforded this band. Ideas wise, ‘Beware’ contains your traditional power metal arrangements with a slightly thrashier element thrown in, it’s melodic and riff heavy in every respect, but again devoid of any impact due to the evil handed production team. Maybe we can view this as an aberration, but if ‘Beware’ is a sign of where this band is headed, then they may as well call it quits right now.

note: 4/10

Tracklist

1. Heavenly
2. Beware
3. Transfusion Vamp
4. Leatherette
5. Angels
6. Killing Machines
7. You Are My Life (Gypsy Mind)
8. Lost My Way
9. Political Greed (Petrol Man)
10. Moosilauke Cascade