German heavy metal outfit Generation Steel have released their new single and video “Wings of Fire,” the third preview of their upcoming third album Steelmachine, out October 16 via Fireflash Records/Edel.
Founded in Wetzlar in 2019 by guitarist Jack the Riffer, Generation Steel carry the torch of classic “Heavy Metal made in Germany” in the tradition of Accept, Running Wild, Grave Digger and Helloween. After their first two albums, The Eagle Will Rise (2021) and Lionheart (2023), the band are stepping things up with Steelmachine.
“My aim with this third album was to take things up a notch, develop Generation Steel further and sharpen our profile even more. I think we’ve succeeded.”
– Jack the Riffer
“‘Wings of Fire’ tells the story of the struggles every person faces within themselves. The battle in the sky symbolises inner conflicts – doubts, fears and the constant struggle between giving up and carrying on.”
– Jack the Riffer
Steelmachine arrives with a completely revamped line-up. Guitarist and songwriter Thilo Herrmann — who debuted in 1985 with the Faithful Breath classic Skol and has since worked with Risk, Running Wild (Black Hand Inn, Masquerade) and Grave Digger (Ballads of a Hangman) — now stands alongside Jack the Riffer.
“He’s not only an incredibly talented songwriter and guitarist, but also a great bloke.”
– Jack the Riffer
Behind the mic is Swedish vocalist Mike Stark, who also fronts Argentina’s Feanor and Sweden’s Stormburner, while bassist Fabian Watermann (Mad Max) completed the quintet shortly before recording. The album was produced by Piet Sielck (Iron Savior), whose credits span Gamma Ray, Stormwarrior, Blind Guardian and Saxon.
“We’ve matured in terms of song arrangement, and at the same time we’ve managed to preserve our core identity. Thilo and Mike, in particular, have noticeably improved the standard of songwriting.”
– Jack the Riffer
Lyrically, the album tackles serious themes indirectly. As Jack the Riffer explains, the title track “Steelmachine” nods to current international conflicts, while “Witches Cross,” though set against the witch burnings of the Middle Ages, works as a metaphor for exclusion, fear and blind fanaticism — historical events mirroring the way people are still hastily condemned and publicly pilloried today.
Watch “Wings of Fire”: YouTube — Stream/download: save-it.cc | Bandcamp
Steelmachine track listing:
- Steelmachine
- Wings Of Fire
- Witches Cross
- The Priest
- I Am The Storm
- Fields Of Pain
- Rise Up (feat. Piet Sielck)
- New Frontiers
- Island Of Tragedy
Pre-order Steelmachine (CD, LP, bundles): save-it.cc | Bandcamp
Generation Steel are:
Mike Stark – vocals
Thilo Herrmann – lead guitar
Jack the Riffer – rhythm guitar
Fabian Watermann – bass
Marc Laukel – drums
Heavy Metal Mania Tour ’26 (Mystic Prophecy & Iron Savior, special guest Generation Steel):
Nov 13 – Siegburg, DE @ Kubana Live Club
Nov 26 – Nuremberg, DE @ Hirsch
Nov 27 – Lindau, DE @ Club Vaudeville
Nov 28 – Freiburg, DE @ Crash
Dec 3 – Aschaffenburg, DE @ Colos-Saal
Dec 4 – Bochum, DE @ Matrix
Dec 5 – Oldenburg, DE @ MTS
Dec 10 – Kortrijk, BE @ DVG Club
Dec 11 – Osnabrück, DE @ Hyde Park
Dec 12 – Cologne, DE @ MTC
Dec 13 – Mannheim, DE @ 7er Club
Follow Generation Steel:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
