I don’t think it’s derogatory to say that there are a number of Power Metal bands which fans of the genre tend to rely on for not only turning out quality product on a regular basis, but also for being reliable in their sound and musical direction. Many of these bands are German, and also share the quality of being almost instantly recognizable which ever album you play. Primal Fear, Blind Guardian, Helloween, Running Wild and Gamma Ray all spring to mind, and since his old mucker Kai Hansen from the last band on the list gave his buddy Piet Sielck a helping hand launching Iron Savior together 25 years ago, I don’t think any Power Metal devotees would begrudge them a place on the above.
Much time and a few band members have come and gone since then (including Hansen quite early on of course), but Sielck’s voice is as familiar and powerful as ever as he belts out the vocals for more straight-edged, full-force Power Metal anthems – something he has done so many times before. Handling production as usual, the main man always lends such a smooth, classy, vibe to every Iron Savior album and of course “Skycrest” is no exception. Written deliberately as an antidote to the depressive tendencies that has plagued 2020 in general, “Skycrest” is an unyielding onslaught of up-tempo, memorable Power Metal songs, that bludgeon their way unapologetically through your speakers, grabbing your attention and refusing to let go.
The more analytical might find this a slightly more buoyant and optimistic release than previous album “Kill or Get Killed”, but the point of my opening paragraph is why analyse? The main thing any fan of the genre or the band themselves needs to know is whether it’s actually Iron Savior enough. The answer to which is a resounding Yes, I think this could just be one of the most Iron Savior-esque albums ever – this is a band who sound so natural and at ease with their style that it appears almost effortless. Yet it also possesses an unrelenting energy that is hard to avoid getting swept along with. No point in picking out individual tracks, moments or musicians, it’s just Iron Savior at their best, double-kick drums flying everywhere, riffs in abundance and hook-laden vocals – what more could you ask for?
(8.5/10 Andy Barker)
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