1980: the dawn of the American Heavy Metal movement, and the birth of Steeler, one of the bands whose sound would define that cultural revolution. Shortly after the release of their iconic 1983 self-titled album, that supernova exploded into multiple bands and projects that would each carve their own places in that era's history, leaving an undeniable impact on a metal generation.
This triumphant reunion puts a powerful exclamation point on that legacy with the band's first new song in over 40 years, and their first-ever official music video.
This brand new (2024) song and video prove that four decades have done nothing to diminish the power and the passion upon which the band was built. "Give Me Guitars (Or Give Me Death)" celebrates the glory of an era that may be gone but certainly not forgotten, combining all the elements that made 80's metal the soundtrack of so many lives: an anthemic chorus, screaming lyrics that pay tribute to songs and stars that paved the street of dreams, loud powerful music and incendiary guitar pyrotechnics.
That music is provided by men who lived it, then and now: vocalist / guitarist Ron Keel, lead guitarist Mitch Perry, drummer Mark Edwards, bassist Rik Fox, and session drummer Dwain Miller. The song was written by Ron Keel specifically for Steeler, and is featured on his new RFK Media album release Keelworld.
The video was directed and produced by David Pear (watch the full clip for credits at the end). A full length documentary film is now in production by David Pear which will tell the entire story behind the "Steeler Legacy."
In a recent video interview with music journalist Joel Gausten, veteran singer Ron Keel (Keel / Steeler / Ron Keel Band / Iron Horse) talked about his new album, Keelworld, the first new Steeler recording in decades, his brief stint fronting Black Sabbath, his longevity in the music industry, and more.
Released on August 2 via RFK Media, Keelworld includes the first new Steeler track in over 40 years, "Give Me Guitars (Or Give Me Death)", which is accompanied by a big-budget music video directed by David Pear (The Dead Daisies) that will be released on Black Friday (November 29) to coincide with the release of a blue vinyl edition of the album. The Steeler line-up on the song includes Keel, guitarist Mitch Perry, bassist Rik Fox, and drummer Dwain Miller (Keel). The video will feature former Steeler drummer Mark Edwards.
When asked whether Steeler has plans beyond the new song, Keel replied,
"I kinda take it one song at a time, man. I have a band called the Ron KeelBand that can play anything off this record and anything from my career. We do Steeler in the show, we do Sabbath, we do Keel. There are nine, 10 Keel songs in the show. My band can do whatever I need them to do. To just pursue Steeler as a new entity... I know there are gonna be offers with this thing. We’re gonna get opportunities. The phone’s gonna ring; the emails are gonna explode. They’re gonna ask the same question you just asked: 'What about Steeler? We want Steeler." It’s not off the table. Never say never... but we’ll take it one song at a time and see how it goes."
The complete video interview is available below courtesy of Glory Is Noise TV.
