SUN AND STEEL

This last album from Iron Butterfly is actually better than what could have been expected. Ron Bushy (the only surviving founding member) and Erik Braun (an IB veteran) are the only ones from the heydays of the band to be featured on this album; while Phil Kramer already played on their weak Scorching Beauty released a year prior to this Sun & Steal.

The title and opening song is particularly well crafted: excellent vocals, fine melody with some superb instrumentation. Sun & Steal is one of their true prog track in all their career. A highlight!

This album as a whole though is more of a hard-rocking affair; something typical for the date of release. Some strong and powerful tracks (Lightnin) combined with some syrupy rock ballads like hard-rocking bands were keen to write (Beyond The Milky Way, Watch The World Going By).

A certain New York Dolls flavour is also noticeable during the rock'n'roll Free or Get It Out. But there will still be a heavy rock one for the nostalgic old fans (Scion).

The influence of the new keyboard player (Bill De Martinez) is clearly marked on the very good I'm Right, I'm Wrong: after a symphonic opening, he will develop a fine atmospheric play to get along with this traditional rock number. It is the second highlight from this enjoyable album.

The closing number is another fine song from this offering. A very performing rock ballad which holds a great guitar furry in the middle part. It is bizarrely called Scorching Beauty (title of their previous album).

In all, this is an enjoyable rock album. Three stars.