'Mind The Step' is a debut studio album from Rotherham's finest, Deadline, a band that have been a staple on the UK melodic rock live scene over the last few years. It is obvious from the first listen through that Deadline have spent there time on the road wisely, crafting and honing a very strong set of songs, and I would guess cherry picking the strongest numbers in their repertoire for this release. Opening with the duo of 'Out of Reach' and 'Too Many Things' was certainly a wise move, as both songs have hooks that many more established acts would love to be able to write. Built around driving guitar riffs, Steve Lunn has penned memorable melodies and with drummer Kev Tonge providing a very solid backbeat both numbers are as good as any British band in this genre has come up with in the last couple of years.

One of the criticisms oft levelled at Deadline, is that in guitarist Andy Lindsay, they have nothing more than an Eddie Van Halen clone. Let me say this here and now, NOT TRUE. Lindsay has a a fine melodic touch to his soloing, yes he uses a two handed tapping technique at times, but listen to the way he builds a solo and you will find echoes of Richie Sambora, Luke Morely and  Phil Collen in a style that fits the music perfectly without overshadowing the song as a whole. This is most evident on 'Losing Myself', a song that seems to be the perennial live set closer and lodges itself in your brain after just a couple of listens. As a mid tempo brooding track it is a study in substance over style, which showcases an economic arrangement and a fine vocal performance from Mr Lunn..

It is indeed on the mid and up tempo numbers that Deadline seem to be at their most comfortable, in addition to the songs mentioned above Love's A Battle and Stay both prove to be highlights of this record. The former, with its solid bass patterns and sharp rhythm guitar coupled with great vocals has a similarity in feel to Def Leppard circa Hysteria, although without the overblown production. Where the band perhaps falter slightly are in the slower numbers, with which the band seem slightly less assured and tracks such as Only You and As of Now do not quite reach the same level of excellence as the songs previously discussed.

Overall 'Mind The Step' is a very fine debut from one of the very few British bands brave enough to dip their toes into the melodic rock waters. The one stumbling block that I can foresee is in the promotion and marketing of the CD. I honestly know nothing about TB records, but given the fact that on the recent Tyketto tour, when Deadline had the ability and audience to sell copies of the CD to, the album didn't actually turn up until the penultimate date of the tour and this surely doesn't bode well. Furthermore when checking out the TB records website I could find no mention of Deadline or 'Mind The Step' whatsoever. I hope I am proved wrong as Mind The Step deserves to be a success for the band, but only time will tell. 

Let us know your views on 'Mind The Step'

Track List

Out Of Reach
Too Many Things
Only You
One Touch
Just One Night
Losing Myself
Love's A Battle
Love Won't Fade Away
Stay
As Of Now

Line Up

Steve Lunn - Vocals
Andy Lindsay - Guitars
Kris Hudson - Bass
Kev Tonge - Drums