Review: Wings of Steel – Winds of Time

Wings of Steel (October 17^th 2025)

Reviewer – Jason Hopper

LA-based metallers Wings of Steel have been on the scene for a few years now. They made a splash with their self-titled EP in 2022, and their full length follow up, ‘Gates of Twilight‘, the following year. Having performed at several festivals in Europe and a few select dates in the US, the band is looking to keep that momentum going with this next release, ‘Winds of Time‘. Having not heard their earlier material, I can only base my review on this release, but what a release it is! The band has talent in spades, and have created one of the best kick-ass old school heavy metal albums to come along in years.

I must point out something that I never start with in a review, guitar solos. While there are spectacular guitar solos I’ve heard over the years, the solos are not usually the best aspects of an album. This album is the exception. Guitarist and co-founder Parker Halub is a wunderkind. I’ve never been so impressed by so many solos on one album, with three solos in one song being a highlight.

That song is first single and opening track ‘Winds of Time‘, an over ten-minute opus that showcases the power and passion of the band. The band bounces back and forth with varying tempos of ferocity and intimacy. I’m not usually crazy about epic songs with strong tonal changes throughout, but this song is just that damn good. Those previously mentioned three solos are simply mind-blowing. Unlike many guitarist who just mindlessly fret away, Parker employs passion, nuance, and a feel for the rhythm that elevates the track, drawing the listener in with his incredible technical prowess. There are other terrific tracks on this album, but this is likely to be the best heavy metal song of the year for me.

Other fast and furious songs follow. ‘Saints and Sinners’ gets right to the point. Unlike the track that preceded it, this under three-minute double bass blast is a four on the floor full throttle scorcher. ‘To Die In Holy War’ is another powerful track in the vein of bands like Hammerfall and Helloween, nothing groundbreaking per se, but incredibly well constructed and once again, a fabulous solo from Mr. Halub.

I don’t want to make it seem like the other members are slouches. The rhythm section is tight and lay down a great foundation for the melodies. Lead singer Leo Unnermark is the type of vocalist that is one part Joacim Cans, one part Carl Albert (late singer for Vicious Rumors), and a touch of Bruce Dickenson. He has quite the range and takes the songs into the stratosphere.

Other tracks do not have the same speed metal-type tempo, but maintain a heavy, bombastic punch to them. The standout was one that was quite familiar sounding. ‘Lights Go Out’ has a similar structure to Yngwie Malmsteen’s ‘Tomorrow’s Gone’ from his Magnum Opus album. It’s a favored Malmsteen album, and I’m sure it’s an influence on the band as well.There’s even a “ballad” in ‘Crying’. The lyrics are the type you would find covered by many hair metal bands, but the booming bass and tuned down guitars give it a heavy, blues-based overture.

The only issue I have with the album overall is the track listing and the number of tracks. There are eight tracks total. Four tracks have a (mostly) fast power metal-type feel. The other four are heavy but slow down the pace considerably. The final three tracks have that type of slower, heavy rhythm. While the songs are good, they should have been spread out or, even better, an additional track should have been added as the second to last track to shake things up a bit. A strong cover song with a bit of bite would have done just the trick.

The band bio refers to them as a “Heavy Metal/Hard Rock band”. I completely disagree. Wings of Steel is straight up unapologetic Heavy Metal!! There’s nothing “hard rock” about them and that’s a compliment. This is a group that commands attention and, with our genre heroes getting older, retiring, or passing on, it’s great to hear that the music we love is alive and well with a band like Wings of Steel. This music needs to outlive all of us; to be passed down to future generations so they can experience the thrills we have all come to know. This is the future of heavy metal and I’m happy to say it is in good hands.