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True Strength: Steel Evangelist
True Strength Steel Evangelist CD Album Review

True Strength: Steel Evangelist

Heavy/Power Metal
3.0/5.0

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Roxx Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 02.02.2017

I'm not sure where to start with this review of True Strength's Steel Evangelist. Information about the band is rather sketchy. Let's stick to what we do know. One, True Strength is a three piece Christian metal band from the States, essentially playing old school heavy and power metal with ambitious guitar shredding. Steel Evangelist was originally released independently back in May 2016. According to press material, that recording had some "production quality issues" due monetary restrictions in the recording. I think that's code for, it sounded really bad. This version had been remastered by engineer Cliffy Walker (The Huntingtons). The album will be re-released digitally once again and in a CD format, both with new art work.

After two spins of Steel Evangelist, my reaction and impression has been something between all out ambivalence to cautious optimism. I say the latter because, in the Eighties, I was heavily involved in the Christian heavy metal movement. True Strength sounds like a throw back to that era, and that's a positive thing. Their heavy power metal is traditional and speedy "keep it true" metal with lots of riffage and burning solos. But frankly, the songs are kind of bland and redundant, everything runs together with nothing standing out. As for re-mastered production, I'd hate to hear the original release of the album as this version still reminds me of a tape-trading era recording. There's clarity to it, yet it still seems soft and muted. The latter is notable in the vocals, which are hard to understand. And that's problematical for a Christian heavy metal band when you're first goal is to proclaim the Gospel. But I'm guessing the CD comes with a lyric sheet.

Wrapping up. Sadly I have no band photo to offer you (as proof of life) and no video or mp3 to share. There is song on their Facebook page, but I think it's from the original recording. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

True Strength (No Video Available)

No Video Available


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The Bottom Line

After two spins of Steel Evangelist, my reaction and impression has been something between all out ambivalence to cautious optimism. I say the latter because, in the Eighties, I was heavily involved in the Christian heavy metal movement. True Strength sounds like a throw back to that era, but that's still a positive thing.

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