Italian power metal does not have to involve dragons, in fact Sicilian band Steel Raiser sound more like a ‘Painkiller’ era Judas Priest. Tracks like ‘Magic Circle’ and opener ‘Cyberlazer’ provide vocal styles similar to German metal bands, namely UDO and Doro. I say Doro as the lighter moments of the release do sound musically similar, but with the powerful male vocal of Alfonso Giordano. Of course no traditional or “power” metal album could go un-noticed nowadays without some reference of style homage to Halford and Dirkschneider-isms in the vocal style and also the musical arrangement; ‘Magic Circle’ gives more of a nod to Accept than any other band to reference.
You get what you would expect with this album, tried and tested arrangements, time signatures and strong vocals. I am not saying it is boring, far from it, ‘Regeneration’ (the bands second album) is good, but it is not something that will win an originality award but you will enjoy ‘Metal Maniac’. If you are looking for another band to add to your metal denim jacket, then chose Steel Raiser. ‘Regeneration’ is full of regurgitated metal classics, but this is some field that I chose to remain, there is nothing wrong with a comfortable pair of shoes that has vibrancy and metal heritage.
(7/10 Paul Maddison)
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