Q5, besides being the band of Floyd Rose – yeah, the guy who invented the locking tremolo system device everybody uses these days -, are one of those bands that we can’t understand why things weren’t different. The band represents a very dear moment of heavy metal bands in the 1980s which is the passage of more raw and fiercyful bands to bands with a more emotional grip. Of course, some of them lost track of it and became too emotional, if you know what I mean. But not Q5. “Steel the Light” shows a band that sometimes seems to be looking for a personality, but in most of it know what they are doing. Assuming a more melodic line of vocals and great guitar parts, Q5 are a remarkable band. We can feel it by the opening track “Missing In Action” with a frantic riffing and uptempo cadence. Next track, “Lonely Lady” keeps the faith with a more cadenced tune with beautiful guitar phrases. Title track is also a great tune and still keeps the faith.
“Pull the Trigger” and “Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady” have a strong taste of AC/DC’s seminal album “Back in Black.” But it would be natural due to vocalist harsh voice. But that’s all, Q5 went back to first proposal of a more melodic metal with some touches of hard rock.
Q5 “Steel the Light’s” reissue will be released on July 16th via No Remorse Records.
Track Listing:
Disc 1 “Steel The Light” album
- Missing in Action
- Lonely Lady
- Steel the Light
- Pull the Trigger
- Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady
- In the Night
- Come and Gone
- Rock On
- Teenage Runaway
Disc 2 “The Rare & Unreleased”
- That’s Alright with You (Steel the Light 12″ Single B-side)
- Nothing Ventured – Nothing Gained (Demo 1984)
- She’s a Dancer (Demo 1984)
- Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady (Demo 1984)
- In the Night (Demo 1984)
- Waiting for Your Love (Demo 1984)
- Teenage Runaway (Demo 1984)
- Our Love Has Come and Gone (Demo 1984)
- Your Love Is The Best Love (Unreleased Demo 1983)
- Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady (Live Seattle 1983)
- That’s Alright with You (Live Seattle 1983)
- Steel the Light (Live Radio Broadcast Seattle 1984)
Watch “Steel the Light” official video here: