Iron Kingdom – The Blood of Creation
Iron Kingdom – The Blood of Creation
Self-released
Release Date: 04/11/22
Running Time: 43:29
Review by Paul Hutchings
7/10
Describing their music as “if Iron Maiden and Judas Priest had a child and raised it on Hammerfall, Helloween, Rush, and Blind Guardian” may seem like a bold claim in the extreme. One listen to the opening song ‘Sheathe the Sword’ and I was certainly wondering where the Rush connection was although I could certainly see the influences of the German power metal legends.
Formed in 2011, “The Blood of Creation” is Iron Kingdom’s fifth full-length release, and it plays to a specific audience. The cross section of traditional metal and the most exuberant power metal traits demands leather, studs, posturing and every other metal cliché you can drag kicking and screaming into the pot. And there’s nothing much to quibble about if that is your thing, for Iron Kingdom do what they do well.
The musicianship is solid, the lead work sharp and Osterman’s high-pitched vocals can certainly hit the heights. His soaring shrill delivery on ‘Queen of the Crystal Throne’ demonstrates that perfectly. New drummer Max Friesen makes his recording debut for the band and puts in a sterling effort with some robust and powerful performances.
Ultimately, whether you like this will depend on your view of sword, sorcery, fantasy, and history inspired metal songs that flow with almost ludicrous pace. If your bag is screaming lead solos, relentless double kicks and driving bass lines and a pitch in the vocals which sometimes presents more as the outcome of a mangled Vince Neil and Rob Halford creation, then this is going to have you punching the air.
There are few surprises. ‘Hunter and Prey’ and ‘Witching Hour’, for example, thunder along with high tempo, plenty of riffs and dutifully following a standard template that fits this genre like a comfy old boot. You won’t find anything too complex, but it is perfectly played. Dual guitars scream out, delivering some classic metal melodies which warm the soul. It’s nothing new but you need to add it to the list of Accept, Helloween, Queensryche etc.
And it wouldn’t sit in the traditional metal genre without the inevitable classic to finish. In this case, we have a stellar piece that pulls in every piece of metal influence the band can muster. Yes, the title track runs at over 13 minutes long and features some epic guitar work. It’s a song that propels the album higher in the scoring stakes, for not only is it hugely ambitious, but it also works on every level. You can’t help but tap along to it, immerse yourself in the metal workout that’s unfolding before your eyes and ears, and enjoy every minute of it. A fine ending to a solid album.
‘Queen Of The Crystal Throne’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Tides Of Desolation
02. Sheathe The Sword
03. Queen Of the Crystal Throne
04. Hunter And Prey
05. Witching Hour
06. In The Grip of Nightmares
07. Primordial
08. The Blood of Creation
LINE-UP:
Chris Osterman – Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar
Leighton Holmes – Bass Guitar
Max Friesen – Drums
Megan Merrick – Lead Guitar
LINKS:
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