Canada’s contribution to the so called NWOTHM cannot be overstated. In fact, if you wanted to argue our neighbors up north as the most important contributors to the scene alongside Sweden, I wouldn’t disagree. After all, they’ve given us Cauldron, Striker, Traveler, Skull Fist, Spell, Smoulder, and the subject of today’s review, Iron Kingdom, just to name a few. Iron Kingdom first came onto the scene nearly 20 years ago, formed by siblings Chris (guitars, vocals) and Amanda (drums) Osterman as under the moniker, Twisted. Come 2011, they rebranded themselves the much more 80s sounding Iron Kingdom, and the rest is history.
For a little over a decade, Iron Kingdom have toured the globe and released albums that lie somewhere between early US power metal steel and good ol’ fashioned NWOBHM derived fun. Taking the former into consideration, I wouldn’t go so far to label Iron Kingdom a power metal band. Occasional musical flirtations aside, they lack the overall ethos of a power metal band. I’m not saying to be “power metal”, one has to sing exclusively about Dungeons & Dragons. In the same breath, there’s too much blatant traditionalism abound to label them such.
This is the case with their latest full length, The Blood of Creation. If you’ve been keeping up with Iron Kingdom from day one, you’ll be pleased to know this album stays in line with past releases, both musically and spiritually speaking. If you haven’t, allow me to explain. When Iron Kingdom does put on their power metal suit and armor, they channel the speed and aggression of Thundersteel era Riot. Whether it be the over the top vocals, rampaging drums, or emphasis on face melting solos, cuts like “Sheathe the Sword”, “Hunter and Prey”, and “In the Grip of Nightmares” bear a striking resemblance to classics like “Johnny’s Back” and “Flight of the Warrior”. No complaints here!
When they aren’t wielding their swords and daring you into battle, Iron Kingdom keeps it heavy old school style, while still exploring various scenes and facets of the 80s. The dark and energetic “Witching Hour” boasts flourishes to the ambitious side of the NWOBHM (i.e. Iron Maiden, Angel Witch, Satan). My choice cut, “Queen of the Crystal Throne”, is chock full of hooky riffs and regal twin guitar melodies as characteristic of Ratt as they are Judas Priest. And while the closing, 14 minute, pseudo-prog title track comes off as overambitious in the long run, I do appreciate the effort put forward from a musical point of view.
Like them or not, Iron Kingdom come off as content in their mission to spread the classic metal gospel today as they did when they started. It’s not like they’re going to shock their fanbase with a black metal album anytime soon, or even make the inevitable transition to AOR (Looking at you Striker, you lovely bastards.) No, Iron Kingdom adheres to the old adage that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. To that, I tip my figurative hat and raise my horns in approval.
6 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Riot, Crystal Viper, Iron Maiden