Private editions is a serious business in the Metal scene. Wrong. Private editions must be a serious business in the Metal scene. Most bands, now enjoying their sales/success/fame worldwide have, do and will emerge out of their self-financed demos, promos etc. As if no temptation can alter the purity of the child, private recordings sum it up - in the end of the day - to the beliefs of some humans enjoying playing music together. And who can put blame on this goal, rating-free?
STAINLESS STEEL - hailing from Hungary (I've been there three years ago; what a wonderful country!) - deliver their third full-length release. I can recall how more-than-average-but-less-than-interesting the Red Heat Within predecessor (2002) was. European melodic Power Metal, enough in the STRATOVARIUS/GAMMA RAY direction but more on the 'mild'/experimental RAGE route, along with some American (continent) Power/Prog elements in the vein of SHADOW GALLERY and SYMPHONY X (and ANGRA). The new album, The Plague stands in -more or less - the same step, both musically and in terms of quality.
The production/sound is again just good, but nothing special. There's no need, though, to exaggerate on this fact since it's a self-financed recording we're talkin' about. In terms of music, on the other hand, the band seems to develop itself to be healthier. The songwriting has improved, the instrumentation is kinkier and the keys atmosphere adds everything wanted in this album. An album I have the impression it may be a 'concept' one...and, yes, it is! Based on the same-titled Albert Camus novel, I can confirm.
Fine vocals - let aside the accent, which is an eternal drawback for 'obscure' non-English-speaking countries - plus some nice melodic/melancholic Euro Heavy Metal set of songs are good news. I like The Plague and really wanna see it climbing up in circulation. Hope, at least...