Released by Frontiers Records– 2010
Review Added February 11, 2010
Released Europe – January 29th 2010
To be Released – USA – February 9th 2010
Running Time: 50:22
Musical Style: Traditional Heavy Metal/Hard Rock
Links: http://www.myspace.com/keelband
Links: http://www.keelnation.com/
Tracklist
1. Streets of Rock & Roll**
2. Hit the Ground Running
3. Come Hell or High Water**
4. Push & Pull
5. Does Anybody Believe**
6. No More Lonely Nights
7. The Devil May Care (But I Don’t)**
8. Lookin’ for a Good Time
9. Gimme That
10. Hold Steady**
11. Live
12. Brothers in Blood
Hot Tracks**
Ron Keel – Lead vocals, Guitar, Keyboard
Marc Ferrari – Guitar
Brian Jay – Guitar
Geno Arce – Bass
Dwain Miller – Drums
For those of you who we’re too young to remember, Keel was found by former (Steeler) vocalist Ron Keel. Soon thereafter they marked their territory and claimed ground when when “The Right To Rock,” their major label debut produced by Gene Simmons of KISS, became the fastest-selling debut album in A&M Records’ history. They went on to garnish some well claim popularity but despite the fact they have sold over 2 million records, the name is still not a household staple in contrast to other less talented groups in the same genre. In 1986, Keel actually won the Best Band of the Year award in the 2nd annual Metal Edge magazine reader’s poll, beating such noted bands as Iron Maiden & Judas Priest. The band reunited back again recently and now they released their new album “Streets of Rock and Roll” and once more Frontiers manages to revive another underrated band, and the boys of Keel deliver a triumphant return to the roots of the 80’s denim and leather style of the Hollywood hair scene once more.
The self title track cuts open the album wide open with pure melodic heaven, as Ron Keel’s voice who’s always sounded very similar to Jon Bon Jovi, grinds out a pure slab of 80’s traditional melodic metal like it was meant to be played. the twin guitar attack of Marc Ferrari and Bryan Jay, open up a nice lick at the beginning of “Hit The Ground Running” which bring memories of some classic Judas Priest with those fiery boogie speed metal riffs, Ron Keel’s voice still as gritty and grinding as anything he has done in the past, you can feel the passion in the music here as it transcends through the entire record. The lighting fast riffs in “Come Hell or Highwater” turns the page wonderfully as the twin guitar duo once again gear jam things up nicely to make this track one of the heaviest songs on the record. Ron Keel stated as saying the sound hasn’t changed, the production has gotten better of course with technology, and perhaps the track “Does Anybody Believe” demonstrates this trait perfectly, add some addictive lyrics and a cool melody and you have yourself another killer track. I reprise from spoiling the surprise here as the entire record is a must listen to not only to Keel fans but fans of traditional hard rock and especially 80’s metal, down to every ounce of energy.
Every track on the record is catchy, addictive, and proclaims the trademark Keel sound of the 80’s quite well. In fact it keeps the tradition of the good old days alive and well. Ron Keel’s voice here sounds as solid as ever, and once again it proves the point that all those young modern metal or rock bands now lack, you ask what? well is elementary my dear readers, if you have the basics down, if it worked then, why wouldn’t it work now? It worked for Keel then and it’s working now again some 20 + years later. Big props goes out to the twin guitar duo of Marc Ferrari and Brian Jay, they do an excellent job here hooking your brain around some fiery guitar solos and riffs all throughout the record and even though the drumming is a little muddy at times, it’s still excellent. May I make a suggestion to all you raving 80’s rockers out there, save your money and go out and buy this record as you will not be disappointed. Ring it up , knock it back you have a winner!!! Go out and support the band..
Written by Denys
Ratings Denys 8/10