Ironsword - Servants of Steel (Alma Mater Records)
Portugal's truest band of brothers returns after a 5-year gap. The band had its start back in 1995 and have had a very sporadic output since then. Most original members beyond singer/guitarist Tann have departed, while he continues his solitary treck into the hidden crevices of true epic metal (Think Manilla Road meets Visigoth). "Servants Of Steel" is an album that can be easily dismissed as "simplistic" but at the same time it is a truly rich and majestic in its straightforwardness. For it is not the complexity of the compositions that makes this album interesting, but the fact that in its simplicity, barbarism, grandeur and a feeling of Robert E Howard at its best, gush forth. There are no excess interludes here, only heavy metal cut and sewn from the flesh of the enemies to be performed live as the earth is trembling. Tan's voice is a classic case of love or hate - his voice is a perfect fit for the genre, but non-fans would easily dismiss it. However Ironsword are like that; with uncompromising heavy metal anthems like "Rogues In The House" or "In The Coils Of Set", baptised in a personal sound. They are unwavering in what they do as they continue their solitary journey; their manner makes sure that only those worthy of the blessing of Crom will follow!
93.25/100
Below is the lyric video for the song "In the Coils of Set"
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