Steel Panther – Feel the Steel (2009)
I think the warning statement on the back of the Feel the Steel CD case pretty much says it all. “This CD that you are about to listen to contains parodies that feature foul language, adult content, satanic imagery, and depictions of sexually deviant fantasies that may offend the religious right, the unreligious left, fat girls, skinny girls, metrosexuals, animal lovers, animal haters, hippies, skinheads, the current presidential administration and people with ears. The record label and its parent companies do not endorse or support the opinions of Steel Panther. They just think the f–king rock.”
Hair metal parody bands are not a new thing. Skrapp Mettle arguably did it first, of course some may say Spinal Tap, but that wasn’t a real band. The bottom line is this, none of them were as good as Steel Panther. If you are easily offended, you probably aren’t going to like this disc. If you have a sick or twisted mind, Feel the Steel is going to make you laugh, as well as make you rock. I saw these guys at M3 and they were great live. I knew I had to seek out a copy of this disc as soon as possible. The band has changed names quite a few times. The were originally known as Danger Kitty, Metal Shop & Metal Skool prior to Steel Panther. They band is pretty well known in L.A., but as Steel Panther they are beginning to make a name for themselves globally. Quite a few of the songs on the CD, are carried over from the extremely hard to find Metal Shop CD, Hole Patrol. Nonetheless, Feel the Steel rocks all the way through. There isn’t a bad song on the CD.
Every time I listen to this disc, I hear quite a few bands that Steel Panther has borrowed from. Whitesnake, Warrant, Van Halen, RATT and Bon Jovi are just a few of the bands that Steel Panther has taken their sound from. The amazing thing is the music is so tight, you almost forget that you listening to a parody band. The lyrics won’t let you forget for long though. If this CD was a movie, it would definitely be X-Rated. Feel The Steel is not appropriate for kids, so don’t even try to play this one if your family is present.
Feel the Steel may not be for everyone, but I have enjoyed this one quite a bit, and I think a bunch of you will too.
For more info on Steel Panther, check out the band’s myspace page. This CD is not available in the United States as of yet, but you can purchase it here, and here.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Death To All But Metal
2. Asian Hooker
3. Community Property
4. Eyes Of A Panther
5. Fat Girl
6. Eatin Aint Cheatin
7. Party All Day
8. Turn Out The Lights
9. Stripper Girl
10. The Shocker
11. Girl From Oklahoma
12. Hells On Fire
Steel Panther is:
Michael Star – Vocals
Satchel – Guitar
Lexxi Foxxx – Bass
Stix Zadinia – Drums
Danger Danger - Revolve
Lynch Mob - Smoke and Mirrors
Outloud! -S/T
Stryper - Murder By Pride
I’d like to hear this.
It is a very rare occurrence when a joke is executed with such incredible laser beam-like precision that you lose your bearings as to who the joke is on. Is this on me? Them? The world? And so it is with Steel Panther, a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, very rare indeed. The great Sir Winston Churchill, I’m sure, would have agreed, this is parody of the highest order. This is Spinal Tap times a thousand.
This LA based metal foursome have the talent and skills, and wicked sense of humour, to churn out an actual hit album if they so choose. Who knows, this very well may be a hit album despite their very best attempts to thwart such success and accolades. There are songs on Feel the Steel that are so strong I’m sure if the lyrics were altered to something MUCH more radio friendly, they would be climbing the charts as we speak, Community Property comes to mind. The ironic thing is, lyricly speaking, this is one of the most hilariously honest albums I’ve ever heard….for under all the innuendo of bands like Van Halen, isn’t this what they are all essentially saying?
It is a strong indication of their intellect that, given the current market for hair metal bands, they have chosen to embrace the ridicule extolled on the likes of Poison, Ratt, Extreme, and Bon Jovi. Yet, they are not just cashing in on the fact that spandex metal is making a soft comeback because they have been doing this for years. They have a genuine love for this music as well as the aforementioned bands they emulate, you can hear it in the details…it’s all in the details. They appear to be completely oblivious to that fact that this musical movement ended almost 20 years ago and have just been too busy partying and getting laid to have noticed, of course, we know better. Brilliant, subversive parody…album of the year. 5 out of 5 stars. What more can I say?
Glad you like it! I think it is pretty awesome. It is always good for a few laughs too!