Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Iron Savior The Landing Company: AFM Records Release: 2011 Genre: Power Reviewer: EC

Picks right up from 2007

"The Landing" marks Iron Savior's first studio endeavor since 2007. This is the band's first collaboration with powerhouse label AFM Records and it is a marriage made by Odin. Considering singer Piet Sielck's contributions to many of the bands present on AFM's roster it seemed only a matter of time for the two to partner. Savior has spent six albums with the likes of Noise and Dockyard1 and now AFM should finish the band's career bearing any unlikely scenarios with Century Media or Nuclear Blast.

This new album picks right up from 2007 and finds the band playing their rather unique formula of softer leads and heavy handed grooves, all balanced so well among the double bass. Iron Savior has always reminded me of Maiden's "Seventh Son" with the guitars layered so well and...elegant. It is this production and treatment of the guitars that really sets Iron Savior apart. Let's face it--writing about aliens and distant planets is as common in power metal as dungeons and dragons, but the unique treatment the band gives to their strings really prolongs the band and makes each release an anticipated event.

The band's lead single in "Heavy Metal Never Dies" is absolutely one of the most infectious riffs I have heard in recent memory. That combined with the strength and might of "Hall Of The Heroes" makes this an album worth having in it's own right. Add in the power metal western song (gasp!) "Faster Than All" and Iron Savior is looking better than ever. However, other tracks like "The Savior", "R.U. Ready" and "Before The Pain" leave something to be desired. Highlights for me are the driving Overkill styled "Moment In Time" and boneshaker "No Guts No Glory".

The digipak has two reworkings of older songs "Atlantis Falling" and "Coming Home". Another version has an extra track called "Underneath The Radar" (Underworld cover).