Steelheart - 'Rock 'N' Milan'

(Frontiers Records)

I tend to prefer Live DVD’s to Audio CD’s, as they also give you the visual aspect of live performances. Sometimes I feel live packages can be cash in’s so quality can vary or in some cases seem unneeded, but as a rule so far with Frontiers live packages they have been of premium quality in all aspects. Steelheart’s ‘Rock’n Milan’ definitely keeps that positive trend going and easily gets two thumbs up from me!

The live sound is well mixed and presented, whilst it may be too clean for some as that means you lose some of that live feeling, I personally feel this performance actually captures the atmosphere quite well. The DVD is well edited and focuses on the action!

It is really hard to truly capture live atmosphere on video but ‘Rock’N Milan’ is definitely one of the best at getting the sweat and energy of live shows across. It has a hard pounding impact which kicks in from opener ‘Blood Pollution’ and keeps you involved throughout. The set list is well paced and put together, keeping energy high! They may not have the largest back catalogue, but as the set progresses you realise how many great live tunes they have in their repertoire.

A real highlight is ‘Everybody Loves Eileen’ which sees vocalist Miljenko Matijevic starting with an acoustic guitar before jumping into the crowd, interacting with them and singing on the bar. It is a really cool moment captured on film although it does crack me just how many people are seen watching the show even when he’s up close through their phone’s! I’m sure the guy who gives Matijevic his Steelheart shirt, which he wears for the rest of the show, is a very happy bunny!

The set finishes with a rousing anthemic performance of power ballad ‘We All De Young’ made all that more poignant when you remember Steelheart guitarist Kenny Kanowski passed away a few months after this performance.

I’d heard some negative reports from recent Steelheart performances, but this live performance contradicts those reports massively. I thoroughly enjoyed the set as a whole and it does a great job of capturing the atmosphere of the evening. It really did leave me wishing I had been there! I’ll just have to make do with this CD/DVD package and if you enjoy live releases, I highly recommend grabbing this one from Steelheart!

8/10

Essential Track - 'Like Never Before'

Review by Woody