Cold Steel
Omaha, Nebraska, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Tom Mathers, president of Perris Records, quoted in issue #10 of "Rocknation" (75,000 copies distributed nationwide):
"I have been in the music business as a musician and an owner of a label now for many years. I remember working with LIT when they started out just out of high school. I've worked with artists before they went on to record and join bands like Megadeth, Warrant, Alice Cooper and Slash's Snakepit. And now this band COLD STEEL is the real deal, they will be huge rock stars someday. Their ability to write and record and perform it just like their CD live cannot be matched by some musicians twice their age." - Rocknation
Cold Steel comes barreling out of Carson, IA like a freight train out of control. This foursome from the Midwest has its eyes on you, and it’s either move out of the way or get swept along. On their self-titled debut, Cold Steel draw on metal and glam rock elements to create a trip back to the best days of 1980’s hair metal.
Led by brothers Alex (Guitar, lead vocals, profanity) and Matt DiBaise (Lead guitar, vocals, shenanigans) Cold Steel lays down a sound reminiscent of the days of Motley Crue, Ratt, and Twisted Sister. The sound is bit more modern, but the general mood and attitude reflects that of 1980’s MTV metal. Highlights include Everyday’s The Same, Something Wicked and Your Disease. The Motley Crue cover (Looks That Kill) is also definitely worth the price of admission.
All in all, this is a very successful debut CD. It establishes the Cold Steel sound and is a more than sufficient starting place for a band looking to make a career of their talent and ambitions. The sound is a bit dated, from one perspective, yet it’s a sound that seems to be coming back into vogue some. The only real constructive criticism is that the music on the CD comes off a little bit flat at times, compared to what I am certain is a very dynamic live sound. I’m not sure if this is just a limitation of the CD format or if it was a production choice. It detracts a little bit from the disc, but not enough to keep it from being recommended.
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5) - Wildy's World
"...powerful songs, great stage presence. The sky's the limit for this band." - via email
Cold Steel performed at the Mid-American Music Festival in Omaha, NE this past Labor Day Weekend.
Here are some reviews that were posted on the regional website SLAMOmaha.com:
“…(the) highlight (of the Mid-American Music Festival) was Cold Steel. Young kids just kicking it Metallica, Chains, Maiden metal style. The last 5 songs left me wanting more.”
-Mick Messina, Owner, SLAMOmaha
“…that kid can shred on the guitar.”
-Javier Ochoa, Drummer, Song Remains The Same
- Stardog Productions
Posted to the Stardog Productions MySpace profile from Fuse On Demand (the network is featuring Cold Steel's video "Stuck" nationwide during September 2008):
"We Love Cold Steel!" - Stardog Productions
Discography
"And It Begins" (EP) - 2007
"Cold Steel" (Full-Length) - 2008
"See You Again" (EP) - 2009
"First Five" (Full-Length Compilation) - 2010
"The Odds Are Against Us" - 2011
"CD Singles" - 2012
Photos
Bio
Cold Steel was formed in January of 2005. The current lineup includes Alex DiBaise on vocals/rhythm guitar, his twin brother Matt DiBaise on lead guitar, Gage McClain on drums and Garret Loring on bass. The band formed when its members were only aged 12 to 14, but their skills were already at the level of long-time musicians.
In December of 2006, Cold Steel recorded their first 5-song EP, “And It Begins”. The band returned to the studio in late 2007 to begin work on their first full-length CD, and wrapped production in March 2008. A national college radio campaign saw the band on over 140 radio stations in 42 states in support of the CD. The single "Stuck" and its accompanying video were released, and the music video for "Stuck" aired nationwide on Fuse on Demand and was requested over 4,200 times during the month of September 2008.
Now ranging in ages from 17 to 20, the band released an EP in October 2009 with Grammy-nominated producer Tom Tatman (Stone Sour) at the helm. A compilation CD, "First Five", was released worldwide by Sweet Sounds/Republic Records in October 2010. Their new CD, "The Odds Are Against Us", was released in summer 2011, and recently the band worked with legendary producer/writer Beau Hill (Warrant, Clapton, Ratt, Stevie Nicks) to produce three new mixes of original Cold Steel music.
On stage, Cold Steel performs with the adrenaline of youth and the experience of over 300 live shows they've performed. Their ability to "play it like the record" is a major source of pride for the band.
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