Iron Mask is a Belgian power metal band that reminds me a lot of old Hammerfall and Stratovarius without the heavy keyboards. "Black as Death" is a solid power metal album and I was wanting more after the album was over. Choral backing vocals, sweeping solos and epic melodies make you pump your fist in triumph. I am definitely impressed by this band's effort on this release and will go back to find their older material and check it out as well. Any fan of Malmsteen, Dio or power metal in general needs to check this one out.

This Belgian act pair with AFM records for this fourth album release. The group stay strictly between the genre limits leaving "Black As Death" a little less than exciting. I can't help but think Metalium or Secret Sphere in terms of clean burning precision. The whole thing clangs and bangs with massive heavy grooves in a progressive mold layered with keys and neo-classical elevation. Iron Mask is just missing that half dozen songs on a record that leaves some trace of innovation or desire to achieve more than just the mid-card.