Review: IRON CURTAIN “GUILTY AS CHARGED”

IRON CURTAIN “GUILTY AS CHARGED”
October 14^th, 2016
Pure Steel Records

Iron Curtain is Speed/Heavy band from Murcia, Spain. Formed in 2007, band released “Mosh or Die” demo (2009), “Dirty And Fast” (2010), “B-Days” compilation (2011) and finally in 2012 first album “Road to Hell” (Heavy Forces Records). In the same year they released EP “Black Fist” (Anger of Metal Records). 2013 brought Iron Curtain/Speedbreaker split “Heavy Metal Strike” (Anger of Metal Records) and album “Jaguar Spirit” (Heavy Forces Records). Another split in 2014 “Forjando El Acero Vol.1“Ciclón/Iron Curtain (Falcata Discos), EP “Outlaw” in 2015 (High Roller Records). On August 22^nd, 2016 band released single “Wild & Rebel”. In 2016 Iron Curtain signed worldwide deal with Pure Steel Records and announced 3ed full length album “Guilty as Charged” (October 14^th, 2016). Album includes 8 songs:

1.      Into The Fire
2.      Lion’s Breath
3.      Take It Back
4.      Relentless
5.      Iron Price
6.      Outlaw
7.      Wild & Rebel
8.      Guilty As Charged

If you have never heard this band, the first association is early eighties metal. It is obvious that guys are influenced by Motorhead and Exciter. If you carefully listen to the album, it has a touch of Skid Row, early Iron Maiden, Accept, Metallica, even Venom…

Album covers are pure old school.

What will you notice at first? Legendary Lemmy singing style! Mike Leprosy’s voice might be characterized as raw but capable to turn to melodic. Iron Curtain lives with their heart and their soul in eighties. Raw, full of energy, fast but effective (album length-36:12 min). I will paraphrase their first single:

They are wild!

Wild & Rebel!

Beware!

Gonna get you!

Their previous work includes several songs written in Spanish “Pacto Con El Metal” (“Road to Hell”, Heavy Forces Records, 2012); “Brigadas Satánicas” (“Forjando El Acero Vol.1” Ciclón/Iron Curtain, Falcata Discos, 2014) and somehow I think they should have one at this album too. That might be a trademark of a band.

If you like eighties sound, Iron Curtain is the right choice. Refreshment of the year!