Riders Of The Worm

Sergeant Steel

The moment I read the name SERGENT STEEL, I simply had to listen to this […]
By V.Srikar
September 21, 2015
Sergeant Steel - Riders Of The Worm album cover

The moment I read the name SERGENT STEEL, I simply had to listen to this and do a review. You see being a marketing student at an MBA level, even small things like name of a band has started to fascinate me, and I guess if you are a rare old school band in this day and age, you are bound to have Steel or its synonyms in your band's name! But that apart, as I started to do this review the weird fantasy kinky artwork caught my eyes and also made me wonder if this was a Stoner band or a Grindcore band, you probably wouldn't have seen any self-imposed censorship in the artwork. Anyways let's get along with the "Riders Of The Worm" releasing later this year on November 25th on Boyz Tyme Records.

With 14 songs on offer here and the album clocking 55 min, I did wonder if the album had enough in it to keep me interested through-out. Let me find out. The album starts out with a happy going song in the aptly named "Happy Time (Love On Demand)", and you soon realize that the sound resembles lot of yesteryears Hard Rock bands while still having its uniqueness. The song gives a unique feeling as unlike most Hard Rock or Metal bands that I listen to daily, SERGENT STEEL brings a happy feel to the table and it actually works. The first song is almost like an adult rhyme! As I drive along with the album, "Dirty Habits" reminds me of AIRBOURNE due to its sharp rhythmic riffs. Kane Roberts of ALICE COOPER fame offers a guest appearance in "Silver Spoon" which sounds too simplistic for my liking. "Where My Heart Is" is more of a Classic Rock love song as the electric guitar only makes its presence during the juicy solos, though all in all an interesting and beautiful song. "Young And Hungry" gives a glimpse of what the lyrics are as the band attempts an anthem here and I must say it almost does work for the boys, especially with another guest appearance in the form of the Hard Rock legend Mark Slaughter as he makes his presence felt through his vocals. I hate to describe each and every song here, but I will probably end up doing just that as each song seems to be worthy of some description as they seem to bring something new to the table. "Only Good Girls (Love A Rock 'n' Roll Boy)" is a much faster song and offers much needed pace to the album. The next few songs like "Rock 'n' Roll Highway" offer happy go lucky Rock n roll songs (nothing like AC/DC or GUNS N ROSES) which are somewhat not-so-appealing to the metalhead in me. "Samsara" is a rather melodic Indian classical style soothing 3 min instrumental which I surprisingly liked for what it was rather than judging it in a larger context of the album. Call me weird, but "Promised Land" felt like a crossover of JAMES BLUNT and SABASTEIN BACH. The band tries to blast a punkish song with "Trouble Maker" but again, not just convincing enough, especially after some really amazing songs. The album ends with a 53 sec Hip Hop remix of "Dirty Habits", well I will not say anything more!

The core sound of the band itself is great and is very interesting, but with 14 songs and the band trying far too many things in a single album, the essence kind of got lost a bit. But having said that "Riders Of The Worm" is still an album worth at least one time listen.

8 / 10

Excellent

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"Riders Of The Worm" Track-listing:

01. Happy Time (Love On Demand)
02. Dirty Habits
03. Silver Spoon - feat. Kane Roberts
04. Where My Heart Is
05. Young And Hungry - feat. Mark Slaughter
06. Only Good Girls (Love A Rock 'n' Roll Boy)
07. Hot Widow
08. Mr. Right
09. Can't Take My Hands
10. Rock 'n' Roll Highway
11. Samsara
12. Promised Land
13. Trouble Maker

Sergeant Steel Lineup:

Phil Vanderkill - Lead Vocals
Jack Power - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Chuck Boom - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Ben Bateman - Piano, Keys
Ronny Roxx - Bass Guitar
Cøsy Cøxx - Drums

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