Crying Steel – ‘Agent Steel’

(Pride & Joy Music)

There's something reassuring about bands that know exactly who they are. Crying Steel have never really chased trends, and on Agent Steel they continue to fly the flag for traditional heavy metal with an obvious affection for the classic sounds that inspired them in the first place. Rooted firmly in old school metal and carrying more than a passing nod to the spirit of the NWOBHM movement, this is an album that feels comfortably familiar from beginning to end. Whether that's enough will largely depend on what you're looking for.

If your idea of a good time involves crunchy riffs, soaring vocals, melodic guitar solos and choruses designed to stick in your head after a couple of listens, then Agent Steel certainly delivers the goods. Crying Steel clearly understand the fundamentals of classic heavy metal, and there's an authenticity here that can't really be questioned. This isn't a modern band trying to recreate a vintage sound through studio trickery or nostalgia. It feels like music made by people who genuinely believe this style never stopped being relevant.

Franco Nipoti and Paolo Nocchi’s guitar work is probably the biggest strength throughout the album. The riffs have enough bite to keep things moving while the lead playing is melodic without becoming overly flashy. Solos arrive when you'd expect them to, adding colour rather than dominating proceedings, and there's an enjoyable chemistry between the rhythm and lead guitars that gives the record a solid backbone. Fans of the traditional European metal sound should find plenty to appreciate.

Vocally, Tiziano Sbaragli’s performance fits the material well. There's a classic metal approach at work here, with plenty of power and a slightly theatrical delivery that suits the overall style. Sbaragli manages to avoid sounding forced, even when reaching for the higher notes, and there's enough personality to prevent the vocals becoming just another generic tribute to the past. While not especially distinctive, they're convincing and complement the music effectively.

The rhythm section does exactly what's required. Marco Zirondelli’s bass provides a dependable foundation while Luca Ferri’s drums keep everything driving forward without unnecessary embellishment. It's a workmanlike performance that serves the songs rather than demanding attention for itself. In many ways that's entirely appropriate, as Agent Steel is built around solid songwriting rather than technical fireworks.

Production-wise, the album strikes a reasonable balance between modern clarity and old-school warmth. Everything is easy to hear without sounding overly polished or sterile. The guitars have enough weight, the vocals sit comfortably in the mix and the rhythm section has enough punch to give the music some momentum. It won't win awards for innovation behind the mixing desk, but it suits the material and allows the performances to breathe.

Where the album struggles slightly is in its consistency. While there's never a genuinely poor moment, there's also a feeling that many of the ideas occupy similar territory. After a while the songs begin to blend together, making it difficult for the album to establish a truly memorable identity. The pacing remains steady, but there's a sense that a little more variety could have elevated the overall experience.

That's perhaps the biggest criticism of Agent Steel. It rarely surprises the listener. Every riff, harmony and arrangement feels comfortably within established heavy metal traditions. There's absolutely nothing wrong with honouring those traditions, especially when they're executed with this level of competence, but listeners hoping for fresh twists or unexpected moments may find themselves wanting a little more.

That said, not every album needs to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes it's enough to deliver familiar ingredients with enthusiasm and conviction, and Crying Steel certainly manage that. Their passion for classic heavy metal comes through in every aspect of the record, from the songwriting to the performances. The musicians clearly know what kind of album they wanted to make, and they've largely succeeded in achieving that goal.

‘The Arrival’ opens the album in confident fashion, setting the tone with plenty of traditional heavy metal energy. It's an effective introduction that immediately establishes the band's old-school credentials, with strong guitar work and enough momentum to pull the listener into what's to come.

‘You Got The Look’ keeps the pace moving with catchy hooks and a memorable chorus. The band settle comfortably into their groove here, blending melodic ideas with crunchy riffs in a way that feels both familiar and enjoyable without trying to overcomplicate things.

‘Under Cover’ leans into the more classic metal side of the band's sound, allowing the guitars plenty of room to shine. The musicianship is solid throughout, and while it doesn't break any new ground, it delivers exactly what fans of the genre will be hoping for.

‘Just Played On’ offers another helping of straightforward heavy metal with a confident performance from the whole band. The rhythm section keeps everything driving along nicely while the lead guitar work adds plenty of colour without stealing the spotlight.

‘To Remember’ brings a slightly more melodic feel to the album, showing that Crying Steel are just as comfortable writing memorable vocal lines as they are delivering powerful riffs. It's a welcome change of pace without drifting too far from the album's core sound.

‘Coming Home’ continues that balance between melody and muscle, with polished musicianship and a warm, classic feel. The band sound completely at ease, and the song reinforces just how naturally they inhabit this style of heavy metal.

‘My Heart Steel Rocks’ places plenty of emphasis on strong melodies while maintaining the album's consistent level of energy. The vocals work particularly well here, supported by tasteful guitar playing that never becomes overly flashy.

‘Queen Of Grinder’ turns the intensity up another notch with a heavier edge while still keeping melody at the forefront. The band sound tight throughout, and the combination of solid riffing and confident vocals works particularly well.

‘You Steal My Soul’ provides another strong dose of melodic traditional metal. The songwriting remains dependable, with memorable hooks and polished performances combining to create one of the more accessible moments on the record.

‘No One's Crying’ closes the album on a satisfying note, wrapping everything up with the same confidence and professionalism that has run throughout. It leaves a positive final impression and confirms Agent Steel as a consistently enjoyable slice of classic heavy metal that should please long-time fans of the genre.

Fans of bands that emerged during the golden era of traditional heavy metal will probably find themselves returning to this release more than casual listeners. There's an undeniable comfort in hearing straightforward heavy metal played with confidence rather than irony, and Agent Steel captures that feeling rather well. It never tries to be heavier than necessary, more progressive than required or more commercial than the material demands. Instead, it simply gets on with delivering solid heavy metal in the classic mould.

While the album doesn't quite reach the heights of the genre's most memorable releases, it's difficult to fault the sincerity behind it. Crying Steel aren't pretending to be something they're not, and there's something refreshing about that in today's musical landscape. The hooks are reliable, the musicianship is consistently strong and the overall package feels like the work of experienced performers who understand the appeal of traditional metal.

Ultimately, Agent Steel is unlikely to convert anyone who has never enjoyed old school heavy metal, nor is it likely to redefine the genre for long-time fans. What it does offer is a dependable collection of well-crafted songs that proudly wear their influences on their sleeves. Sometimes that's all that's needed. It may not become an instant classic, but it provides enough enjoyable moments to justify repeated listens, particularly for those who still appreciate the enduring appeal of melodic, riff-driven heavy metal. For existing fans of Crying Steel and devotees of traditional metal alike, Agent Steel represents another respectable chapter in the band's catalogue, even if it falls just short of being truly exceptional.

5/10

Essential Track – ‘My Heart Steel Rocks’

Review by Woody