ALBUM REVIEW: Servants Of Steel – Ironsword

In a world where bands are looking to execute formulas that can continue bringing metal into the new age – it can be refreshing to see bands paying homage to the genre’s hay day. IRONSWORD encompass this thirst for classic metal, and have nigh on dedicated their careers to the concept of throwback heavy metal. New record Servants Of Steel sticks to the formula of doing its best to recreate the past, but in doing so often loses sight of the present.

It’s hard to really say who Servants Of Steel is for. Yes, 10 seconds into Rogues In The House you get a direct sense of MEGADETH, and Tower Of Elephant‘s lead riff is wonderfully close to peak ANTHRAX. But time has shown that some fans from these bands peak eras haven’t been susceptible to moving with the times, and they’re sticklers for quality. In other words: If you’re not able to replicate the quality of METALLICA they won’t be interested, and deviating from the status quo is a straight up death sentence.

It should be said that those looking for a classic metal tick box are in for a fair ride here. Tracks like Black Colossus and Son Of Crom stray from taking themselves too seriously but undeniably deserve credit in their own right. The latter’s ethereal, solemn beginning gives way into James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett-esque bridge building with aplomb, and the layer of stomp added underneath is a real horns in the air moment.

There’s little here that tries to deviate from the blueprint at any point though. And Servants Of Steel is somewhat of a slog at twelve tracks long. With no real show stealer – this is a record that you need 100% investment in to get something from it. Where bands like POWER TRIP appear to have the blend between old and new at peak toxicity – IRONSWORD come across as overly familiar at times.

Servants Of Steel prides itself on being an ode to classic heavy metal, and this is undoubtedly achieved throughout its play time. While the band’s moniker immediately restricts them of bringing anything new to the table, fans who do manage to stumble across the record are likely to find an affinity in the record’s brash tones. IRONSWORD may be around 30 years too late to reach mass levels of success, but Servants Of Steel is at the very least a feel good throwback.

Rating: 6/10

Servants Of Steel is out now via Alma Mater Records.

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