In the world of modern music it is hard to go past the sheer devotion that the faithful have to the world of metal. Like the sounds of hip hop, metal is seen by many as a way of life, and as a positive outlet for the trials of the present day. While this devotion has fallen off locally in recent years, there are some acts who have adapted to these changes by tapping into the huge overseas markets, and having a great amount of success that goes largely unnoticed in their own backyard.

Black Steel are the epitome of this outlook with a pedigree that cannot be ignored. Many of the members have not only been a part of the Perth metal scene, they are the Perth metal scene. While many in Perth would be aware of the band, most would be blissfully unaware that they sell albums across the world running into the tens of thousands, firmly placing them as one of Perth’s biggest selling bands. In European countries there is a huge metal following and the experienced hand that guides Black Steel makes sure they find their niche where they can. The careers of Jamie Page, Dave Harrison, Matt Williams and Damien Petrilli have run the full gamut of metaldom. From playing in premier Australian speed metal outfit Allegience to having a part to play in cult cinema (Sons of Steel), Black Steel have the dark plasma of metal seeping through their pores.

With articles in the largest German metal mags such as Rock Hard and Heavy Oder Was, an Italian fan club, and their impressive CD sales, Black Steel have achieved success without having to sacrifice their integrity or the true metal spirit. Bass player Dave Harrison hopes this self generated success will encourage other local acts to chisel their names on the stone tablet of cult metal status by branching out and finding a market that suit them best. “The copies available in Australia of our new album are actually European imports, which is kind of interesting when you think about it. I am hoping other local bands can see what Black Steel are doing and break out and sell to the bigger markets outside Australia, with the advent of the internet it is getting easier to reach a worldwide audience.”

With the release of their new album ‘Hellhammer’ Black Steel decided to keep the album as raw as possible, with minimal postproduction. As much of the album was recorded with the full band present, Harrison feels it to be a true representation of the band. With this inbuilt spontaneity, ‘Hellhammer’ has a stripped down feel often reminiscent of classic seventies rock. “Our approach was to make this sound like a real band, letting the songs and performance make the record, not the polish . . . so there is natural movement in there, real drums and instruments live in the studio . . . it’s not about perfection, more about capturing a great vibe.”

In the tradition of true metal lyric writing the band often uses fantasy situations to give the fans a break from their own reality. Black Steel couple this approach with a unique sensitivity that shines through with real emotional pain. Harrison concludes that they often have a wide range of lyrical threads that create ever shifting dynamics, giving the listener an extra dimension to grab hold of. This is self evident from the varying lyrical forays on ‘Hellhammer’, from songs about Rasputin, ‘The Holy Devil’, to the title track ‘Hellhammer’, which deals with human resilience and fortitude. “You can’t feel down listening to this music, it pumps you up, a song like this (‘Grind To Metal’) makes you feel like you are in a concert arena of 30,000 people raising the metal fist in the air, walls of amps, lights, lasers and big sing along chorus, life and everyday problems just become insignificant and when this happens, you feel strong and powerful knowing you have experienced the magic of heavy metal music.”

Without much local recognition Black Steel are certainly one band from Perth who have achieved a niche in the marketplace that is to be envied. With the release of their new album, a loyal fan base and with a maiden German festival tour coming in April 2006, the metal gods must be looking down from their mountain of Marshalls with thunderous approval. 

www.blacksteel.com.au