Band:	Steel Attack
Album:	Diabolic Symphony
Style:	Heavy metal, Power metal
Release date:	April 21, 2006
Guest review by:	b0000mst1ck

01. Diabolic Symphony
02. Dead Forever
03. Shallow Seas Of Hatred
04. Dreaming
05. Embraced By Fear
06. Invisible God
07. Sanctimonious
08. Haunting
09. Show Me The Way
10. Winter Hell
11. I Bow My Head In Shame
12. The Other Side

Steel Attack's fifth studio release, "Diabolic Symphony," should be a must-have for any fan of darker power metal. This album has to be the most diverse album the band has released to date. Their second release with vocalist Ronny Hemlin, and their first to include keyboards, proves that Steel Attack can overcome diversity and still compose excellent music.

This release points out how the band's sound has become more epic and driving, as well as much more aggressive. The darker undertones included throughout the entire CD leaves little to be desired when all is said and done. With tracks like "Dead Forever" and "Winter Hell," it's obvious to see they've abandoned their stories based on mythical fantasy, and instead have brought more realistic lyrics, and feeling, to their sound.

It's also worth mentioning that Hemlin's outlook on writing lyrics is hard to come by. With song titles like "Invisible God," "Sanctimonious," and "Shallow Seas of Hatred," it's easy to see the meaningful and deep approach he takes to questioning things like religion and afterlife, as well as typical human emotions. His voice is also immaculate throughout the album. He switches between a gravelly and clean sound with ease, all while holding notes with an almost perfect vibrato; not overdone and never forced.

The music on this effort has almost been completely overhauled after their last release, considering the addition of keyboard elements. Let it be noted that just because the band has added another instrument to the fray doesn't mean any others have suffered. The guitar work is clean, precise, and unique; slower rhythms giving way to driving dual leads, or well-written solos. The drumming is also impressive, although at times lacks variety. Nonetheless, it provides the perfect amount of drive and energy each track deserves, respectively. Finally, the bass adds a perfectly balanced low-end to all of the above.

If Steel Attack have disappointed you with their past releases it's time to give them a second chance. The epic elements that they've added begins with the opening (and title) track "Diabolic Symphony," and doesn't let up until the disc stops spinning in your player. That alone proves the band has finally found their signature sound, and this release shows how powerful of a band Steel Attack could, and quite possibly will, be.