Ohio based Heavy/Power Metal band Iron flame return with their fourth album to date. Multi-instrumentalist Andrew D’Cagna handles all the instruments himself. This album lyrically is less fantasy, it was penned during the pandemic, personal stories and political situations have influenced a much more earthy tone to the lyrical content here. The artwork looks bit too digital for my liking, and there is a notable band logo change. The music itself is refined a touch further, the arrangements are not polished, but definitely a touch more solid. I am not saying that earlier releases were not, I am merely saying that there is a strong sense of development here! The album is harsher than certainly their first two, we saw that develop in the last album; there is a shift away from what would be EU power metal inspired to more Maiden-ized metal influenced. Of course, they are an influence, but Ironflame will take that as a compliment, I do not hear them trying to emulate those heroes of many to the letter.
‘Everlasting Fire’ has maiden-isms, it has North Carolina Widow-isms too, awesome infectious heavy metal with a latter breakdown prior to a ripping guitar solo. ‘Where Madness Dwells’ has more hallmarks of Epic heavy metal from its start, the harmonised guitars add a lot of depth and gallop that follows will sit well with fans of Manowar. ‘The Phantom Flame’ is a whirlwind of majestic metal, the harmony, the guitarwork, potentially leaning into classic US metal again.
Perhaps I am being too unfair with these comparisons, but I feel it’s easier to describe as an influence as I said at the start of my ramblings. ‘Ready to Strike’ is faster, like classic US power metal, There is a great vocal harmony on the chorus line; perhaps even dear old England’s influence also, the same could be said for ‘Kingdom of Lies’ which I hear in a lot of younger UK bands of late. There’s some very high notes reached in the vocals, lots of power rather than a head voice it appears. ‘A Curse Upon Mankind’ has a brilliant riff at the start, a great sense of brotherhood…of metal. That is basically what I would describe this album as, a brotherhood. Which is pretty remarkable considering the recording was completed by D’Cagna individually. Of course, there is a live band, I was lucky to see them once in Germany a few years back, hopefully it won’t be long before we meet again.
You can sing along for hours and hours with this album, it genuinely puts the listener in their happy place.
(8/10 Paul Maddison)
Leave a Reply