...and the Angels Were Made of Steel.

While their countrymen were exploring Judas Priest-influenced Satanic heavy metal, Steel Angel were more interested in epic, NWOBHM-influenced power metal, with lyrics in English rather than in their native tongue as was customary for the French acts of the time. While the riff style could be thought of as influenced by High Power's debut, it and the general vocal approach remind me more of early Jag Panzer; however, the overall attitude of the band is more downcast and midpaced, rather than filled with punch-you-in-the-face energy.

The production is serviceable, but muffles the guitars a tad, putting them a step or two further from the spotlight than they ought to be for the kind of driving riffs they play. Still, the singer is good enough to hold attention even when guitars don't quite grip as they should. A nice mid range accented with occasional falsetto (relegated mostly to the speedy closer), his voice occasionally seems a little forced at times, as if he's struggling to give it an edge it doesn't really have naturally. You can hear this on "The Law", but it's only a slight detraction. When singing less intensely, his clear tone is pleasing, such as on "Warrior". Overall, he reminds me somewhat of an adolescent David Potter, while in his clearer, higher moments he is undoubtedly influenced by Geoff Tate. The lead guitar is competent and interesting throughout the album, but occasionally betrays a lack of maturity and polish, much like the vocals.

Probably the most engaging aspect of Steel Angel is their great sense of pacing. For example, "Knights of the War" features subdued sections in which the drums and vocals are slow and drawn out over the top of a substrate of repeated guitar chords underneath. At intervals the song is given rein to speed up to a trot, evoking a powerful release that compels cranial gesticulation. "The Law" and "Warrior" also fall under this slower category, but Steel Angel intersperse these with faster-paced songs. "Power and Action" and "For the Metal" are competent and certainly entertaining, if more conventional and less interesting. "Midnight", the ballad, is mediocre. It isn't terrible, but unfortunately no one reminded Steel Angel that good metal ballads need to get heavy at some point. I can almost hear the awesome riff exploding out in the middle when the drums play a little segue announcing a new section, but instead of powerful guitars we get...a piano. Oh well. "Judas (Angel or Demon)" however is a great album-closer, opening with a pummeling speedy riff. Especially with that twangy guitar tone I'm reminded of a faster early Cloven Hoof, and German comparisons could be made as well. Oddly enough despite being the fastest track it's the longest, taking up that time with a lot of melodic solos in the middle and a Maidenish dual-lead in the latter half. The ending of the song is great, with the title spoken over an ominous descending lead. A good closing track to a good album.

The real shame of And the Angels Were Made of Steel is that with a little more polish and maturity in vocal and lead guitar departments, not to mention a better production, the followup could've been a classic. As it stands, the end of the French heavy metal scene was already in sight by 1985, and I guess they decided to flee a sinking ship, as on the next album they hearkened to the siren song of commercial success. Still, one good album is more than most bands can boast, and this one gets its share of spins.