Crimson Steel – Show No Fear
Release Date: 2nd October 2026
Label: Heaven and Hell Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal.
FFO: Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Savatage, Crimson Glory, Queensryche, Burning Witches, Sanhedrin, Tower, Lady Beast, Savage Master.
Review By: Mark Waight
Formed in Raleigh, North Carolina, during 2022, Crimson Steel is a classic heavy metal band with a great deal of pedigree within its individual members as well as a diehard passion for producing spectacular live performances. Crimson Steel’s identity is firmly rooted in the force, power and spirit of traditional heavy metal, allowing them to build rapidly growing support in this most coveted of rock genres. Although “Show No Fear” is the Crimson Steel’s debut album, it has the general feel of a band with an accomplished history.
Crimson Steel is Tina Langevin (lead vocals), David Ryan (guitar, backing vocals), Joel McGee (bass, vocals), and Will Adkins (drums, backing vocals).
Short instrumental intro “As Above, So Below” heralds the arrival of the incoming heavy metal storm by announcing the imminent manifestation of the terrifying “Dark Rider,” where the intensity increases steadily throughout to a flat-out pedal to the metal finale via some clever progressive vibes. Nice start!
Next up, “No Absolution” fuses the old with the new with a much heavier modern riff and a truly wicked guitar solo. This track also presents Tina Langevin as a possible contender for the crown of the ultimate Queen of Scream. Fist pumping track “Purifier” is pure class, as it tears up the tarmac with a jaw-dropping, hard-rocking male and female vocal duet. Very sweet on the ears!
Beginning with an acoustic and blues guitar fusion, “Final Phase” ratchets up the heat and pressure slowly before exploding into a heavy on the hammer, hard on the bass and very satisfying conclusion. Instrumental interlude “Prelude to the Blade” is as gripping and intense as a spaghetti western musical score, with the two gunslingers facing each other down before the inevitable draw. Bang!
With echoes of early Iron Maiden, “Bleed into One” is richer, darker and more haunting than the previous tracks, with a horror theme rising to the surface. The well-composed ballad “Century Sword” combines a beautifully choral gothic opening with captivating storytelling and powerful male/female vocals before bringing it all home in a stunning climax.
The title track fits its name perfectly, as Crimson Steel really do “Show No Fear” by putting it all on the line with a gut-busting hacksawing riff and reigniting your love of heavy metal to bring down the curtain in style.
“Show No Fear” is a rock-solid album that puts Crimson Steel firmly in the frame to be one of the very best traditional heavy metal acts emerging from the USA right now. With this NWOTHM worldwide phenomenon steadily growing in momentum, Crimson Steel are perfectly placed to ride home on the crest of the wave, and long may it continue! Recommended!
(4 / 5)
