Steel, John Freedom

2015, Bulgarian-based metal band John Steel was originally formed in 2007 as an all-instrumental band called the Ivan Stalev Guitar Show. The band went through many trials and tribulations and band member changes. In 2012, the band still without a singer, started negotiations with Blaze Bayley (ex-Iron Maiden, Wolfsbane) to record an album. Three years later, FREEDOM finally sees the light of day. The ominous atmosphere of CD-opener ,,War" starts things off with some haunting guitar melodies. Blaze's voice is very prominent and powerful, but the underlying spoken word voices become a little distracting throughout its two-plus minute duration. Bayley's nasally, high-end pitch combines well with Stalev's and Viktor Georgiev's rich guitar tone, sharp riffing and tasteful soloing. ,,The Crow", with its anthemic chorus, ´80s-styled riffing and Bayley's trademark vocals, makes it one of the standout tracks on the album.