Back in Action

by Greg PratoWith singer Ron Keel (who is known to some nowadays as Ronnie Lee Keel) going the country route by the late '90s, it didn't look promising for any further recordings to appear by pop-metallists Keel. But out of nowhere in 1998 came a new Keel release, Back in Action. However, its title proved to be misleading. Fans hoping for an all-new studio album by the reunited band were undoubtedly disappointed, as the ten-track set is comprised entirely of previously unreleased demos from the '80s. Since they're demos, the sound is rougher than, say, The Final Frontier, but longtime fans starved for some unheard Keel tunes to spin should enjoy such tracks as "Proud to Be Loud" (a track that a pre-thrash metal Pantera covered on their Power Metal album), a cover of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up," and a pair of tracks that later appeared on their obscure 1984 debut, Lay Down the Law -- the album's title track and "Speed Demon." Only the hardest of hardcore Keel fans are advised to track this one down.