KEEL keel MCA-42005

American Metal Polish: Keel’s Self-Titled 1987 Album (MCA-42005)

Today’s entry focuses on the American heavy metal scene of the late 80s, specifically the fourth studio album from Keel, simply titled “Keel.” Released in 1987 on MCA Records (Gold Mountain) with the catalog number MCA-42005, this US pressing captures the band at a polished peak.

After a pair of albums produced by Gene Simmons of KISS, the band switched gears for this release, bringing in the renowned Michael Wagener. Wagener, famous for his work with bands like Dokken, Skid Row, and Accept, gave the album the crisp, thunderous, and radio-ready sound that defined the commercially successful metal of the era.

The album features a strong collection of melodic hard rock and heavy metal. It opens with the driving anthem “United Nations” and includes standout tracks like “Somebody’s Waiting” and “Calm Before The Storm” (the latter co-written by Jimmy Bain). The songwriting credits also include contributions from Jack Ponti and Russ Arcara, known for their work in the melodic rock genre.

The lineup features the powerful vocals of Ron Keel, flanked by the guitar duo of Marc Ferrari and Bryan Jay, with Kenny Chaisson on bass and Dwain Miller on drums. Notably, Jaime St. James of Black ‘N Blue provides additional backing vocals on the tracks "It’s A Jungle Out There" and “If Love Is A Crime (I Wanna Be Convicted).”

Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, MCA-42005 offers a fantastic sonic snapshot of 1987. For collectors, this self-titled effort represents Keel refining their sound to compete in the booming LA metal market, delivering a high-quality album that remains a favorite among fans of the genre.