I say that if you are building your musical future on the shoulders of variety of classic Metal, while not trying to mimic the gods in a way that is going to leave a mark, you are good to go. When I listened to the debut album of the new trio epic American Power / Speed / Thrash Metal bone-crushers of STEEL AGGRESSOR, I was almost down to my knees. As an strong old school Metal fan, it was a treat right from the start. However it wasn't the perfect thing I have ever heard, I still think that "From Ruins To Dust" is a Metal release that many modern group should look up to. The past is the future and you can be easily in it.

Armed to the teeth with a classic oriented production that delivered the rich sound of the 80s, "From Ruins To Dust" is a mixed product of complexity and smoothness altogether. The overall production work was rather good but there were some inconsistencies with volume between songs and on the songs themselves. As for the material, let's just say that there is almost no dull moment.

Almost everything was done with speed and roughness just as if a galloping horde of riders was barging in the doors. Furthermore, this release reminded why NWOBHM was such an important step in Metal's development. The constructive nature of the material, its melodies, and harmonies and in a way, its speed features, added more interest to the epic tales behind the tracks and largely told most of them.

Right from the start I couldn't help noticing the staggering abilities of the group's vocalist / guitarist, Rick Cope. However, I was rather upset that he didn't sing that much on the album, but he made up for it by killing with a huge load of riffages and untamed solos. As for his voice, he has a nice twist of Paul Stanley mixed with a crooked Sean Peck (CAGE). Therefore, it was a bit of a drag that he didn't used it more often on the songs. In addition, the insertion of GATES OF SLUMBER's drummer, "Iron" Fouts, was also a great treat for this band. His speedy inflamers gave the riders the edge the needed as classic Speed Metal outfit.

Generally, this debut album is hell of a way to do classic Metal, on its sub-genres. Moreover, STEEL AGGRESSOR took the aura of the 80s and its great characteristics and mixed it with uneven structures to form a diverse material. Their tunes might not be as catchy as like some of better examples of the 80s, yet, the music is tough, fast and destructive in a way it will make you an old school Metal junkie. Some of the top chart excitements you might mosh and bang your head to can be found on "From Dust To Ruins", "Living In The Shadows" and "Master Of Past And Present".

If this is the rating they reached for a debut release, I can't help but wonder what will be next. Go on and fetch "From Ruins To Dust". Every fan of True / Speed / Thrash / Power Metal of both the US and EU should have this one and hope for more like it.