After a long, grueling week of work, nothing hits the spot like a good ol’ fashioned, old school metal release. With all due respect to thrash, death, black, doom, and all the other countless subgenres that make up the metal universe, sometimes you just want to take it back to those early days when metal was finding its way, shaking off the acid drenched tropes of the 70s and becoming more robust. While nothing beats the classics, there is the occasional newer outfit who captures the era’s spirit and energy to a T, like Iron Curtain.
Hailing from Spain, Iron Curtain plays an unrelenting brand of early 80s speed metal that emphasizes the raw, punkish undertones which would pave the way for thrash. There is the occasional melodic flourish thrown in for good measure, but make no mistake: These dudes are no Maiden. Well, no Dickinson era Maiden at least. Di’Anno era Maiden? That’s another story. As heshers far and wide await Iron Curtain’s next full length offering, the Spanish speedsters have bestowed upon us a substantial appetizer in their new EP, Metal Gladiator.
After a cryptic, “calm before the storm” intro in “Crossing the Acheron”, Iron Curtain gets right down to business. “Burn in Hell” kicks this affair off in rip-roaring fashion, praising all thing heavy and evil to a primal, Di’Anno era Maiden meets early Running Wild in a dark alley soundtrack. “Rattlesnake” kicks the speed up a notch, boasting riffs and leads reminiscent of Lightning to the Nations era Diamond Head. Call it senseless NWOBHM worship, but there’s nothing wrong with this when executed the right way. Furthermore, isn’t all early thrash glorified Diamond Head worship if we slowed down the tempos? Just some food for thought there, my hordes.
The title track speaks for itself, with its in your face and unapologetically old school delivery. Faster than traditional metal, but not fast enough to be thrash, “Metal Gladiator” will appease those with a need for speed. “Rough Riders” again showcases the band’s love of Diamond Head, while “Stormbound” stands out as this release’s most intriguing cut. Its emphasis on melody and hooks amongst the high speed traditionalism gives off a real early US power metal vibe, as if this could’ve been a lost Omen song. Closing it all out is the blatantly motörcharged rager that is “The Running Man”, in which sonic speed and rock n’ roll swagger battle it out with no mercy.
Considering 3 of the 7 songs on this outing are re-recordings, and 1 is an intro, it’s hard to label Metal Gladiator as a “new release”, but let’s not forget that in the olden days that Iron Curtain pay tribute, bands released new music on a single to single basis. Hell, you were lucky if your favorite English metal band made it to the full length stage. Knowing that there will be an Iron Curtain full length sometime later this year (or perhaps early 2024), we’re more than lucky; we’re blessed! Blessed by metal, of course.
6 out of 10
Label: Dying Victims Productions
Genre: Speed Metal
For fans of: Exciter, Running Wild, Diamond Head