Usually when  a band comes from Australia, they make some kind of splash. It can be a refreshing one, a very impressive one or even a disappointing one, but they are heard and noticed from the start. As FATE'S HAND is from Brisbane, I have high hopes for this traditional Hard Rock/Heavy metal band. Having started life in 2019, they are still new to me, even though they have released an EP before, in 2021 to be precise, which they named "Fate's Hand". Now, at the end of 2025 they have deemed it time to let loose a full length studio album onto the Metal community. The result is just over 37 minutes with the title of "Steel, Fire & Ice". Now it's time for me to try and describe what kind of splash the music on this debut album is making according to my experiences.

I can tell you straight away that the production of the music on "Steel, Fire & Ice" is more than adequate, making what is being played very clear, transparent and therefore all the instruments are easily distinguishable. The riffing that is used is clear, heavy and to the point, as you expect from an Australian band; they usually don't beat around the bush. And the interaction between all the instrumentalists is very good, they obviously know what they're doing. In other words, FATE'S HAND at least got into the studio having rehearsed more than enough, making them properly prepared. And the way the vocals are woven into the picture is also done with due care and attention. The voice is to be heard amongst all the music, not purely on top of it all.

As for the music as a whole, it's solid. Not bad at all, very well thought out and put together. However, I can't say that it's very high on my list of memorable achievements either. For me "Steel, Fire & Ice" is one of those albums that I won't turn off when I hear it, but neither will I be tempted to go out and buy a physical copy. As for a debut album; I feel that FATE'S HAND has done a good job for a first impression, but still have a way to go in order to achieve the moniker of an inspiring band. So, to answer my question that I asked in the first paragraph; FATE'S HAND has made a splash, but on "Steel, Fire & Ice" it unfortunately is no more than a mediocre one.