AFM Records [Release date 06.10.23]
Iron Savior’s 2020 album, Skycrest, signalled a new era of Power Metal.
Three years later, the voyage of the mothership has apparently been sidelined temporarily, to allow a celebration of Teutonic and indeed, in places, Viking Metal.
Firestar is the band’s 14th studio album.
Led by guitarist / writer / producer, Piet Sielck, Iron Savior have always had a specific, easily recognisable sound, finely tuned and perfectly executed. It’s often been compared to Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Saxon, but less so now, though when you hear some tracks, like ’Mask, Cloak And Sword’, those thoughts raise their heads once again.
Putting the folky rhythms and metres of the instrumental opener ‘The Titan’ to one side, the music on Firestar is fast, loud and crowded with aurally adhesive melodies, biting riffs and hard hitting hooks.
The neck snapping velocity of ‘Curse Of The Machinery’ and ‘Rising From The Ashes’ throw the switch on full on power metal engagement. If your body doesn’t move to these tracks, you should check yourself for a pulse.
‘In The Realm Of Metal’ and ‘The Demise Of The Tyrant’ could be categorised as the band’s signature sound, both slowing the pace marginally.
The first is a Teutonic metal monster of a track, and a lyrical nod of the head to those brothers in arms who live and breathe Heavy Metal, in the studio, on the road: “In the kingdom of thunder and steel … where we all unite…”.
And the second – “armies are colliding, the battle rages high” shows a close (and welcome) relationship with Viking Metal.
A great deal of excitement is generated by an escalating operatic momentum in the title track’s bridge and chorus. It’s a technique that Piet Sielck has perfected over the years. He uses it carefully here, most notably on the softer power metal tribute to his wife, ‘Through The Fires Of Hell, and the interesting, if slightly off piste ‘Across The Wastelands’.
Firestar’s wall to wall choruses and macho harmonies are nothing less than we expect. It’s filled with user friendly material. It seldom goes where we don’t expect it to go and it satisfies our expectations.
You can’t say much better than that. ***1/2
Review by Brian McGowan
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