Album review: IRON SAVIOR – Rise Of The Hero

AFM Records www.afmrecords.de

There is a fair number of German metal bands that have a direct link to Helloween in one form or another. Iron Savior were founded by ex-Helloween man Kai Hansen, then Blind Guardian drummer Thomen Stauch and Piet Sielck back in 1996. Rise of the Hero follows 4 years on from 2011’s The Landing and only Piet Sielck remains from that first line-up.

Rise of the Hero has everything you would expect from Iron Savior – proper heavy metal, science-fiction based lyrics, powerful vocals, riffs, more riffs and yet more riffs…play it loud!

Instrumental Ascendance kicks things off sounding like a science fiction movie soundtrack with its old school synthesizers. Last Hero follows and gallops along at a fair old pace sounding like a Helloween/Blind Guardian hybrid. Revenge of the Bride…well you’ve been warned!

Then there’s From Far Beyond Time, Iron Warrior, Dragon King…well you know what they sound like…they soon fly by…nothing drags. Thunder from the Mountains even has an early Metallica-like opening complete with a James Hetfield roar.

Catchiest song on here has to be the unlikely cover of Dance with Somebody which was a massive indie rock hit in Europe (not the UK though) for Swedish band Mando Diao back in 2009. Iron Savior recorded this as a bonus track but loved it so much they put in on the album…maybe their choice or record label pressure…whatever I’m glad it’s on here!

Overall Rise of the Hero is typical, though thoroughly enjoyable, German metal then with the odd curveball thrown into the mix.

****

Review by Phil Berisford

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)