Labeled everything from heavy metal to power metal and thrash, this independent act hails from Levittown, NY. They started up in 1989, but didn't debut on CD until 1995.

CHANGE TO INSANE (1995) KNOT MYE

I love finding these "small" bands that virtually no one have heard about. A good friend from the Heart Of Metal discussion board told me good things about this CD (thanks, Ben), so I rushed over to CDbaby to order. But I must admit that I was a little put off by the description they gave the band: "Steel Reign is a massive rock outfit from Long Island whose scolding delivery fits somewhere in between Alice in Chains and Motörhead." I could have sworn that I was told that Steel Reign was a thrash metal act! Still, I trust my friend, and took a chance at lest the cover looked metal!). Let me tell you, I don't regret it one minute! Steel Reign play good old bay area thrash metal, even though they are from the tri-state area! I think the band must have changed styles on their following releases. I know they changed some members. But on 'Change To Insane' we get the kind of thrash metal that was popular around 1990. If you love Testament's "Practice What You Preach", or maybe Deliverance' 2nd album, then I must also recommend Steel Reign's debut album. There is nothing original about it, but so what? Good music is still good music. I'm not sure I'll be picking up the bands other releases. I'm afraid of the Alice In Chains meets Motörhead comparisons. But I'm content with having, and liking 'Change To Insane'.

Killer tracks: Cease To Exist, Inevitable End, Change To Insane, Into The Fog, Circle In The Field, Death Con 5