Description

Denmark power metallers Iron Fire returned in 2016 with their seventh output, Among The Dead, and album that walks the line between melodic power metal and rougher heavy metal. This Zombie concept album is tight, intense, and certainly for a melodic power metal band, really heavy both vocally and musically. But somehow it is also about as catchy and melodic as anyone could imagine. Drummer and founding member Gunnar Olsen rejoins the band for this record after a whopping fifteen year absence – and from the looks of things, he clearly wanted to give the kit a good beating, as tracks like “Tornado Of Sickness,” “Made To Suffer,” “No Sign Of Life” seem to prove that he’s a more than capable backbone for the act. Adding to the punch he provides is vocalist/bassist Martin Steene who replaces former bassist Martin Lund. After the spellbinding Voyage Of The Damned, it was hard to imagine Iron Fire topping themselves with the next release. Among The Dead, albeit somewhat of a different animal altogether, goes a long way toward putting those thoughts to rest. Among The Dead is a rather solid record and it’s a good enough sign that they’re still comfortable in their own skin after having given us quite a break in between this record and the last. Sometimes musicians just need a break to recharge their batteries and negotiate decisions within the band family, so that they can come back in and do what they love to do with a clear head. Among The Dead feels exactly like that kind of record. The wise thing to do when preparing for this album as a first listen is to let go of expectations and prepare to be kicked in the nuts. And then kicked in the nuts again.

Track list:
1. Intro (The Lost City)
2. Among The Dead
3. Hammer Of The Gods
4. Tornado Of Sickness
5. Higher Ground
6. Iron Eagle
7. Made To Suffer
8. The Last Survivor
9. No Sign Of Life
10. Ghost From The Past
11. When The Lights Go Out
12. For Whom The Bell Tolls-Metallica cover