WINGS OF STEEL is a hard rock/heavy metal band founded by vocalist Leo Unnermark and guitarist Parker Halub in 2019. The two met while studying music in Los Angeles and have been working together ever since. Rooted in the old-school hard rock and heavy metal of the 70s and 80s, the band's style could be described as an epic, new, and unique expression of those classic styles. I had the privilege of reviewing their full-length album “Gates of Twilight” for Metal Temple back in July of 2023 rating it a perfect 10, and immediately deemed it the “Album of the Year”. That album for the most part was based on universal reflections and speak of the balance between opposites, dark and light, good and bad, heaven and hell, life and death, but more importantly, plain and simple it BLEW ME AWAY. WINGS OF STEEL are set to embark on their first headlining tour in Europe (Germany, France, Belgium) starting in April, check their website for dates and venues (https://www.wingsofsteelband.com) and also performing at NO PLAYBACK FEST, KEEP IT TRUE FEST, BAVARIAN METALHEADZ FEST and ROCK HARD FEST.

To help them kick off this next chapter of their musical journey, I am reviewing the self-titled debut EP from 2022 to spread the word about this incredible band that I’ve had playing on my turntable, in my car and on my playlist pretty much non-stop since last summer.

I’m sure you all have figured out where this review is headed from reading above or hopefully reading my review of “Gates of Twilight” in July 2023 and purchasing the CD or vinyl, but I will try and not sound like a broken record or carnival barker in this review and I’m pretty sure I used up all my adjectives on the first review, so here goes, “Stormchild” opens up with blistering fretwork that leads into the unmistakable explosive vocals of Leo Unnermark that complement perfectly with the down and dirty slamming riffs and mind bending solos laid down by Parker Halub delivering an absolute pure heavy metal experience. The title track “Wings of Steel” continues the onslaught of assaulting hardened riffs that provide the launching pad for the soaring vocals that take off into a rocking stratosphere where the stars are aligned perfectly to bring us a divine gift of a pure celestial heavy metal paradise. “Rhythm of Desire” toys ever so slightly with a bluesy vibe as the chilling vocals paint a passionate picture of forbidden love “When she looked me in the eyes and she told me, we can do it again, the first time that I set my eyes on you, you were the only target to a love I never knew, take me won't ya shake me baby, time and time over time again, do me do me don't let it end” paced by savage guitar licks and absurdly fast lighting riffs. “Black Out the Street” showcases that they are not a one-trick pony band with this diversified, somber song portrayed by the impassioned vocals that play out over the magnificent and mesmerizing guitar dominance brought home with these anguished lyrics: “Nightrider doing twenty-five to life, he's breaking out of sight to face the night, the strongest will survive, long lost is the holy name of Jesus Christ, you better run, run, you better hide.”

The only question that remains is exactly where to put my WINGS OF STEEL tattoo (no smart-ass comments please), but seriously, I don’t put these many personal remarks in my album reviews but in such a relatively short period of time this band has climbed into my list of all-time favorites already.

Catch our Podcast interview with Parker and Leo on Creativity Talkin “Monday Metal” segment airing on YouTube on March 18, we talk about their music, the upcoming tour and just lots of cool music stuff.