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IRONFLAME
Kingdom Torn Asunder

High Roller (2024)
Rating: 7.5/10

With their fifth full-length studio album since forming in 2016, Cleveland, Ohio-based power metallers Ironflame continue to crack the sky with the power of raised fists. Mastermind Andrew D’Cagna rides on a mare of steel once again, his commands ringing out over the smouldering horizons in order to tell tales of a vengeful princess, swooping battle dragons and formidable castles.

There are no real surprises here, just honest chest pounding heavy metal rich in lyrical content and thudding like latter day Iron Maiden. There is no variation with each Ironflame opus, but one feels that the band is very comfortable in its own chainmail, the tried and tested formulas resulting in strong glinting trad’ metal that conjures the soundtrack of thunderous horses hooves as I envisage the clash of swords and heraldic symbols engraved upon bright shields.

Every song is reliable and somewhat clichéd but boisterous in its outlay as ‘Soul Survivors’, ‘Majesty Of Steel’ and ‘Shadow Of The Reaper’ stride with confidence, led by the vocal chants and crisp riffs and percussion which in tandem drive like flaming chariots.

“Suddenly the trumpets are sounding, they warn of pending attack,” D’Cagna croons on the opening sea of chords for ‘Riding The Dragons’, and you’re there with him as the horses scuff their hooves to the sound of the riffs. “Another day has turned to night, and with the ever fading light, your inner demons you must fight”, ‘Mistress Of Desire’ is just poetry in motion, more so with the fluidity of instrumentation.

Ironflame deliver the sort of heavy metal you’d want to accompany you onto the battlefield, even if it’s sitting round a table with a bunch of pals playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Neil Arnold

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