Stairway: Metal Rising | A History Of Heavy Metal
(2025 – Roxx Records)
No one can argue that Stairway are a living legend of Heavy Metal. They are undoubtedly one of the longest-running bands in Christian lyrics alongside Metal. The guys have been fighting tirelessly since 1978, the golden age of NWOBHM, and the band has remained active ever since. The difference between Stairway and many other bands is that they have never made a big deal about being pioneers; instead, humility has become one of their main virtues.
Logically, they have a long history, although it is true that it was only around 1999 that they managed to achieve a more or less sustained discography over time. It was not until 1989 that they managed to record two tracks for the legendary compilation “White Metal Warriors: Last Ship Home,” and it was in 1992/93 when they finally managed to release their first album, “No Rest No Mercy.”
What followed was a string of more or less great albums, in which Stairway honed their style, centered on NWBOHM, managing to forge a bulletproof personality. They never managed to be the center of attention, nor were they given much attention, either by the public or by the press or record labels. Until now, that is, when Roxx Records decided to release this compilation CD that traces the history of Stairway through a selection of Stairway classics recommended for lovers and fans of traditional Heavy Metal.
That’s what “Metal Rising” is all about. I don’t think the right word for this compilation is “Greatest Hits,” since Stairway doesn’t really have any commercial hits, but rather a collection of powerful metal anthems. So now we have the opportunity to get a little summary of their great and interesting history, and it’s even a good excuse to learn more about a legend of White Metal.
The compilation does not follow a specific criteria, which is why there is no chronological order and it does not focus on a specific album. So it’s no surprise that the album kicks off with the best of Stairway’s arsenal. “Enter The Light” is a true explosion of Heavy Metal that shakes you from head to toe, and “Godz” is not far behind with its intense and continuous march.
With “Lies,” we have that Stairway that brings us that old late ’70s sound into the 21st century, with lots of riffs, guitar licks, and solos accompanied by a firm and precise base, and decorated with choruses that are a true and pleasant journey through time. and “No Mercy” is not far behind in that regard, showcasing one of Stairway’s most striking virtues (to the ear).
“Souls Of Zion” takes us way back in time, more precisely to 1993, to the band’s first album, proving that Stairway has always remained true to its particular style, with minimal changes to its classic sound. What follows is “The Sky Is Beautiful,” a melodic demonstration of power and fierce riffs.
We have something different in “The Battle’s Over”; in a more epic, intricate, and complex composition, Stairway shows a different side to what we know of them. On the other hand, “Soldiers Of Heaven” offers another high-caliber piece with the band’s classic formula: lots of riffs, a firm and combative base, and melodic and forceful choruses. “Bondage,” which follows, is another hit from the first album that delivers a fast and forceful blow, becoming a Stairway classic.
The album continues with “Mind Insane,” which shows Stairway putting a new spin on their music, with a little more riff and groove, while “Raise Our Hands” takes us on an intense, galloping, and fierce ride in one of their best songs we’ve heard. And for the finale, they left another cascade of riffs in the spot-on “Death And Destruction,” which becomes the epilogue to this compilation album.
Obviously, the concept behind “Metal Rising” is a selection, perhaps arbitrary, of the most fierce and metallic songs Stairway has recorded in its entire history. It is possible that there may have been some injustice with a song or two that was left out, but overall, I consider what we find here to be a good choice. In addition, the variety and the way the songs are distributed throughout the album is spot on, achieving a balance between classics and some of the songs from Stairway’s latest productions to date.
There is nothing in this production that falls outside the context of the band’s official discography. Let me explain: there are no bonus tracks, unreleased songs, live recordings, demos, etc. It’s a shame, because we would have liked to hear something from Stairway’s early days, and it would also be the ideal excuse to get closer to this compilation album.
The cover of “Metal Rising” features an illustration that conveys the Heavy Metal spirit that Stairway carries in its blood and music. However, the physical edition of this limited edition CD does not correspond to the history of a band like Stairway, but at the same time it follows their logic of humility as a group. This is because we are talking about nothing more than a simple cardboard sleeve that holds the compact disc, with a summary of Stairway’s history and some information about them printed on it, but nothing else. There is no booklet, no photos of the band, or anything of the sort. It is too simple and sparse for a legend like Stairway.
Even so, “Metal Rising” is a good way to approach Stairway’s discography for those who know nothing about the band, but it is also an excellent way to remember classic material and have “something” from each of the band’s releases to date on the same album.
While we wait for new material, “Metal Rising” is a good excuse to dive into the world of Stairway and remember what the band is made of.
Available on compact disc in limited copies, this album can also be found in digital format. To see if it is still possible to get one of the limited physical copies, here are the contact details for Roxx Records, and of course, the links to find Stairway on social media, so you can follow them and keep up to date with the latest news…
https://www.stairwayonline.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/stairwaytheband
