STEEL PROPHET
“THE GOD MACHINE”
Album Review by Chris Palmer
9/10
Steel Prophet is a Heavy/Power Metal unit hailing from LA, USA. The band was formed back in 1983 and has released eight full-length albums, with 2014’s well-received “Omniscient” being the most recent.
The latest line-up of these Heavy/Power Metal Heavyweights consists of R.D. Liapakis (Mystic Prophecy & Devil’s Train) [Lead & Background Vocals], Steve Kachinsky [Lead & Rhythm Guitar and Keyboards], Jon Paget [Lead Guitar], Vince Dennis (Body Count, ex-World In Pain, ex-Dia de los Muertos, ex-Tourniquet, ex-Prong, ex-Obscene Gesture) [Bass], and John ‘JT’ Tarascio [Drums].
This year saw the release of ninth album, “The God Machine”, which dropped towards the end of April via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. The album contains ten slabs of Heavy/Power Metal and is the first to feature R.D. Liapakis on vocal duties. The difference in vocal attack from his predecessor is immediately apparent as you progress through this fabulous album. I’m not saying that the previous singer wasn’t good, but Mr Liapakis has a wonderful ability of lifting Steel Prophet to another level entirely. In fact, the entire production of this new release is on a different level when compared to my copy of “Omniscient”, making the record sound far superior in terms of sound quality. Obviously, this isn’t only due to the production, as all the other band members have put on a masterful display of headbangingly addictive Heavy/Power Metal!
The awesomeness kicks off immediately as opening number and title track, “The God Machine”, launches straight from the speakers amongst a flurry of heavy riffs and pounding drums. When R.D. Liapakis lets his signature vocal scream loose, you just know that you’re gonna enjoy the ride, a ride that’ll blast past you in 41 minutes! “The God Machine” (track) will leave you breathless and grinning from ear to ear.
“Crucify” thunders along with the same power and intensity. Steel Prophet will have you singing along to the choruses instantaneously, while your neck muscles get their desired workout. The band continues to deal out the punishment with the excellent [in both title and music] “Thrashed Relentlessly”, before introducing you to “Dark Mask [Between Love And Hate]” with more first-class guitar-play and a rhythm that threatens to send you into overdrive.
With a length reaching five and a half minutes, “Damnation Calling” is the longest on the album. It’s a brilliant tune too, slower than its predecessors, but has a powerful rhythm which draws you in and maintains its grip as JT and Vince drive things forward, together with that twin-guitar attack of Steve and Jon. R.D’s vocals add that extra dimension to the music, which thoroughly deserves a few repeats. The chugging rhythm and impressively heavy riffage of “Soulhunter” turns the speed levels back up. You’ll be stomping around the pit throughout this number for sure, before being left “Buried And Broken”, as Steel Prophet slow right down for this calm ballad-type number.
The remaining three tracks run for almost 12 minutes and begin with the return of heaviness, as “Lucifer – The Devil Inside” blasts forth. Swiftly following is the call-to-arms of “Fight, Kill”, before the album closes out with the excellent “Life = Love = God Machine”.
Overall, “The God Machine” is a thoroughly enjoyable and heavy album. Its ten tracks offer a sense of variety yet maintain the heavy signature sound of Steel Prophet. The album sees these guys on top form as they teach us a lesson on how Heavy/Power Metal is done right! This album deserves to be added to any heavy music aficionado’s collection. Fantastic job guys… This is one of my favourite albums of the year so far!
TRACKLIST
The God Machine
Crucify
Thrashed Relentlessly
Dark Mask [Between Love And Hate]
Damnation Calling
Soulhunter
Buried And Broken
Lucifer – The Devil Inside
Fight, Kill
Life = Love = God Machine
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