Let's Get It On

by Steve HueyOriginally released in 1999 and then reissued the following year after it was picked up by Roadrunner Records, the Step Kings' debut album, Let's Get It On, harkens back to the earlier days of alternative metal, drawing heavily on Seattle grunge and melodic hardcore punk, as well as post-Korn/Limp Bizkit rap-metal. There are lots of anthemic hooks here, with vocals reaching climactic high notes and holding them as long as possible while the guitars riff furiously underneath. Not everything works, including the metallic cover of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall," which doesn't translate well to this musical context and ends up sounding pretty goofy. But for the most part, the Step Kings prove they have what it takes to become contenders in the crowded alterna-metal sweepstakes.