Steel Threads – The Rule Of Three

album by:
Steel Threads
Version:
CD
Price:
£10.00

Reviewed by:
Rating:
5
On 24 December 2015
Last modified:24 December 2015

Summary:

The trio of Steel Threads pull you into their world on their third studio album aptly titled The Rule Of Three.

Steel Threads

Being a mainly rock/metal fan I’m not really sure how a folk metal band like Steel Threads got under my radar. I saw them live before I heard any recorded output at a local gig here in Crewe when some friends who rated them highly took me along and I was instantly hooked in by the musical chemistry of  vocalist/acoustic guitarist Neil Wardleworth and vocalist/violinist Laura Wilcockson. The intense vocals and music were the perfect foil to the between song quips from Neil.

2015 saw a new member being added. Tracy Beardmore on violin/backing vocals/bass guitar has added an extra dimension to the band, point proven by their 3rd and most powerful album to date, The Rule Of Three. Available from the bands website www.steelthreadsmusic.co.uk for £10, the 11 tracks touch the emotions in many ways. The band have finally managed to capture the intensity of their live shows with this release.

Opener ‘Helpless’ sets the bar high as the minute long soothing instrumental intro leads into the distinctive lead vocals from Neil. The hairs on the back of the neck rise as the shimmering violin lines on the refrain of “Taking more, taking more, taking more, she will blow”. Another pin droppingly quiet build up to ‘Next Time’ builds up to a haunting twin vocal chorus. Neil’s kick drum dominates the end of the song to hammer the final lyrics home. Laura takes her first lead vocal on ‘Made You This Way’, a powerful number with an almost Carly Simon like timbre. ‘All This Time’, the first upbeat number is a shuffling jig with the lyrics giving hope.

The heart strings are pulled yet again as ‘Over Before You Begun’ makes for a dark 3 and a half minutes. The poignant lyrics of “And in that moment you were gone. And in that light, it wasn’t wrong. Before I realised this song, you were over before you begun” are one of many beautifully written couplets. The mood is lightened once again with another lead vocal from Laura on ‘Take My Chances’. The pacy rhythms lead to the optimistic chorus of “Take my chances, leave my scars behind. I’ll give thanks and love to the sky above for having you”. ‘Touch The Stars’, pardon the pun has a touch of ‘Kayleigh’ by Marillion in the guitar chords featuring a piercing electric guitar solo midway.

  ‘Won’t Give Up’ sees Neil and Laura taking alternate verses but sharing the choruses on this bitter/sweet opus. Laura’s final lead vocal here feature on the whimsical musical shifts during ‘Always Nearly There’ with the chorus of “I’m always nearly there” an example of how Neil’s lyrics can connect to any of us. ‘At The Start Again’ has an eerie, disturbing vibe with Neil’s vocal delivery reminding me of early David Bowie. Steel Threads have saved their most heart stopping track to end the album. ‘Little Something’ delivers on both lyrical and musical levels. It is hard to describe, took repeated plays to get my head around, so just buy the album and make your own minds up.

Catch Steel Threads at a venue near you in 2016 as they were awarded the hardest touring band of 2015 by Ents 24.

Steel Threads band line up :-

Neil Wardleworth – Vocals/guitars/kick drum.

Laura Wilcockson – Vocals/violin.

Tracy Beardmore – Violin/bass guitar.

Album track listing :-

Helpless.

Next Time.

Made You This Way.

All This Time.

Over Before You Begun.

Take My Chances.

Touch The Stars.

Won’t Give Up.

Always Nearly There.

At The Start Again.

Little Something.

 

The trio of Steel Threads pull you into their world on their third studio album aptly titled The Rule Of Three.

About Dennis Jarman

Full time downtrodden album/gig reviewer and part time rock God!