STAINLESS STEEL are back from what the promotion material tells me. The band from Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, not to be confused with at least two other bands of the same name, produced what you expect from someone called STAINLESS STEEL. The only previous releases are "In Your Back" (1985), "Molten Metal" (1987) and "Molten Metal In Your Back" (2005), none of which I know so this is my first taste of STAINLESS STEEL. Their promotional material also makes a big play of the fact that this band started in the 80's and sounds like the 80's. It's hard to argue with that. There's the NWOBHM sound to most of the album, some more thrash songs in there too.

This band loves riffs, and comes up with some excellent ones on this album. I do feel they're at their best when the build the song around a guitar part, when the move away from that formula they can get a bit lost, maybe not so sure of what they're trying to achieve. I would say Ralf Scholz is a competent rather than outstanding Hard Rock / Heavy Metal vocalist. The guitars I really liked, 9/10 rating for the guitars.

"Master Of The Universe" is the first actual song on the album, a good track, fast with good guitars. However, I felt, and it showed, that Scholz's vocal performance didn't live up as his efforts weren't up to what he was trying to do. "Preachers Of Hate" is a thrasher, I like it. I'd be very happy to play this when I'm DJ-ing. The theme is the evil of war; the lyrics get the point across but aren't going to win any awards any time soon. "Fear And Pain" generates a back to the roots feel, back to the old British irons, pure NWOBHM, amazing one. "Disaster" is another slow pacer, heavier song, not as Thrash sounding as the earlier "Preachers of Hate", but with a similar feel of end of the world themes. "Kiss Of Judas" has that fine DIAMOND HEAD feeling of a thrasher number. Once again, I couldn't help but noticing that Scholz has a hard time on performing the composed vocal line. "Fight To Survive" is more of what this band is all about as it's a rocking number, good riffs and up tempo.

"Riding On A Razorblade" starts with a good riff, goes a bit slow but eventually turned out to be a decent song. "Dirty Lover" is a sort of AC/DC driven Glam Rock song that's nothing to really write home about but did an ok job in overall. "Death And Destruction" is a riff-tasty rocking song, picking up the tempo from the last time out. "Hold On" is supposed to be the album's balladry, believe me the less said about it the better. "We Want It - You've Got It" starts off sounding like a crappy 80's pop abomination then turns around with a good chorus. "Land Of Eternal Fire" is a fairly weak closing track. I was expecting the riffing and stomping rhythm and a sing along chorus, instead it's not. Not really much of anything I'm afraid.

Some good songs, some very good, some great riffs. I can see why they've never had a great career but would be lots of fun in a small venue and I will listen to this again for fun.