Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Ironsword - Return Of The Warrior - 2004 - The Miskatonic Foundation

Track Listing1. Ironsword 2. Beginning Of The End 3. First Masters 4. Return Of The Warrior 5. Brothers Of The Blade 6. Nemedjan Chronicles 7. Way Of The Barbarian 8. Dragons Of The Sea 9. The Wench 10. War Hymn 11. Death Or Glory 12. Let The Titans Collide

Warriors of the world, unite and become one. A "Return Of The Warrior" is at hand, a grand awakening of true metal passion and determination. This, mighty metal magics, is simply the truest of the true. Portugal's Ironsword are riding through the storm to deliver wind-swept, soaring passages that exist as a traditional benchmark, an ode to the 80s that few bands can match this closely. Yes indeed "Return Of The Warrior", the band's second album to date, is a majestic rip-roar affair that matches the intensity of Greece's epic metal campaigns with the fire and energy of legendary bands who survived the new wave.

Obviously the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Manowar come into effect here, but I can also hear hints of Brocas Helm, Omen, Majesty, and Heavy Load to name a few. In all reality Ironsword are really the 80s fan's band. Difficult to comprehend, no not really? This is basically your sword-and-sorcery themes put to an onslaught of raging guitar riffs, twin guitar melody, and pillage-and-plunder vocals. Singer/guitarist Tann is a very deep throated vocalist, never going much in the way of extreme metal but his vocals carry a power metal register that exists in a very low hummed delivery. This is surprising considering how many bands that are surviving this genre are using high falsetto screams. This is a welcome change. Guitar riffs here are all over the place, from Sabbath styled doom numbers to the fast German Teutonic style made famous by Running Wild and Grave Digger. I can never really see Ironsword on that German power metal page, instead the band fit more into the Swedish style, with their numbers closely resembling the likes of Heavy Load at times. Production wise this one rings tight precision, a very polished, sincere approach at delivering an updated 80s sound. It all works perfectly, putting Ironsword on the bands-to-watch list next year. I have high hopes for these metallic warriors!


--EC 10.21.05