Review Summary: A spirited approach to old school melodic metal
There are plenty of bands aiming for those eighties metal vibes nowadays, but not too many of them are doing it in the same way as Wings of Steel. Their debut album, Gates of Twilight, showcases a hodgepodge of influences between classic metal and doom with even some glam and blues rock creeping in. The results feel like a mix of Sabbath circa The Eternal Idol with helpings of Crimson Glory and Dio, and an almost incidental feeling in the execution reinforces that authenticity.
It also helps that the production and musicianship strike an excellent balance of old school sensibilities and contemporary sounds. The vocals are especially impactful, channeling the likes of Geoff Tate and Ray Gillen with a slew of over the top wails and falsettos. The guitars also excel throughout, putting in a full crunch on the heavier segments and glossy clean tones with plenty of acrobatics in between. The overall presentation manages to be polished without feeling too clinical.
And true to those mixed influences, the songwriting is sufficiently varied though generally opting for a mid-tempo pace. “Liar in Love” makes a powerful first impression in that regard, kicking things off with a thick stride and memorable hook. I’m also here for the lurching blues crawls on “Garden of Eden” and “Lady of the Lost” as well as the almost power metal drive on “Cry of the Damned” and the more uptempo shuffle on “Leather and Lace.”
The album also throws a couple bonafide ballads into the fray, which I admittedly have some mixed feelings about. “She Cries” and “Slave of Sorrows” are pretty solid tracks but border on feeling a little too antiquated in a way, not quite hitting an emotional impact. Fortunately, the closing “Into The Sun” manages to be a tight exception by focusing on the more atmospheric side of its more subdued textures.
Overall, Wings of Steel makes a spirited approach to old school metal with Gates of Twilight. Their attitude is quite refreshing to see, mixing professional musicianship with an irony-free earnestness that often seems impossible in the modern age. While the pacing can be a little stiff at times, the songwriting manages to stay cohesive throughout. It’ll be interesting to see how the band develops from here but in the meantime, this is a nice reminder that there’s more to traditional metal than just aping Priest and Maiden.
