"Factory Of Steel", the new album by the Italian Traditional Metal band, SKANNERS, brought me to a downward state of mind. Not because the album is lacking or something, but because I missed these guys play in the last WACKEN OPEN AIR. Let's leave their sound aside for now, whoever appreciates 80s Heavy Metal, more like the German version of it like ACCEPT, old HELLOWEEN, PRIMAL FEAR and SINNER, will get a kick out of SKANNERS's Metal way. After re-issuing their 2008's "The Serial Healer" originally released by My Graveyard Symphony, through their new label SAOL, "Factory Of Steel" comes alive.

With all of their mighty and long history since their formation in 1982, SKANNERS didn't stand with the big boys and I can say that I found out why. Although these guys have a sense to create memorable songs on all of their albums, including "Factory Of Steel", they use the same formula as everyone else did back in the 80s and even today. Catchy tunes is the name of the game and in the case of SKANNERS, they implement catchiness everywhere on the album. Nevertheless, there are plenty of positive aspects to be mentioned regarding this type of song writing, particularly by metalheads who are suckers for 'catchy, anthem like' choruses, like me. In addition, how can you not fall in love with a super voice in the likes of Claudio Pisoni? Overall, the music is accordingly pleasant and so are some of the presented lyrics (even if some of them sound rather banal) and parts of the songs stay glued hard to memory. So the question is; what can possibly go wrong with that?

Well, the answer is nothing can go wrong. "Factory OF Steel", on its whole, is a wonderful release with memorable songs. For evidence you can check out the catchy anthems of "Never Give Up", "Hard And Pure", "Factory Of Steel", "Iron Man" and there is the sweet power ballad of "Story Of Sound". Nevertheless, the reason it can't get higher than the grade given, is because as each track fades, the general idea is the same. That is why tracks like "We Rock The Nation", "Thunder In My Hand" and "Lord Of Lies" may be good, but the idea remains the same. It is like SKANNERSdidn't even try to step out of the shell a bit and create something that might eventually be different from what they had done throughout their long career.

SKANNERS advantage is their experience that led them to remain classic even nowadays where heaviness is a very important to create powerful music. Their way to create memorable tunes is top notch as they follow the strict line of the 80s. Nevertheless, and I am saying it even as a fan of catchy choruses, they will have to put some extra flavor into their future songs.