As with so many German metal bands, Iron Savior doesn’t have a kill switch. They’ve been rolling out albums regularly since 1997, completely immune to the shifting tastes and trends in metal. Formed as a classic Euro-power act with legacy ties to the genre’s beginning, founder Piet Sielck1 has kept his vision and direction very consistent over the band’s 25-plus year voyage, delivering sci-fi-themed power with a heavier, more traditional metal punch and crunch. Albums like their self-titled debut, Unification and Dark Assault are treatises on how to craft insanely hooky, beefy power and make it stick between the ribs, and when Iron Savior really hit the zone, you get absolutely blasted with laser-guided, bombastic earworms. 2020s Skycrest was modestly entertaining with a few big moments, and that’s more or less been where the band’s been drifting the last 10 or so years. 13th album Firestar keeps that trend going, with a collection of catchy Savior cuts and a few extra inspired ditties that reach across space and time to slap your landing gear. Let’s break down the star charts and see where this one puts down.
After the obligatory intro piece, you get cluster-bombed by the titanormous “Curse of the Machinery,” which is the best example here of what Iron Savior can do when they hit all their marks. It’s barn-burning, planet-scorching power metal with a super aggressive edge that sits closer to Jag Panzer or Agent Steel than Helloween or Gamma Ray. Guitars crunch, drums pound, and Piet’s rough, raspy voice pilots it all with grace and charm. This kind of cut is exactly why I’ve been a fan since they first appeared and why I keep coming back. Though they can’t keep this extra high level going, Firestar is not without other victories. “In the Realm of Heavy Metal” is a dumb but endearing ode to all things steel and chrome and even though the chorus is cheesy as fook, you will enjoy it. The title track is another dose of classic Savior bombast, catchy, hyper-energized, and packed full of the things that make good power metal entertaining. The chorus is huge and sweeping and you will feel embiggened by it.
Other notable potables include “Rise From Ashes” where beefy, Primal Fear-esque riffs power along a classic metal tune that punches above its weight come chorus time with Piet backed by a choir for extra oomph. Not every selection is a complete winner though. “Demise of the Tyrant” and “Through the Fires of Hell” are decent but generic examples of the Savior sound without a lot to make them stand out, and “Across the Wastelands” has a very cool retro 80s metal sound that rings the nostalgia bell for Steel but it doesn’t quite come together and fully stick. At 50 minutes, a few of these lesser cuts could easily have been jettisoned for a faster flight, but nothing is outright bad. As always the production is very polished and clean, but they do keep grit and punch in the guitar tone which helps keep things a bit heavier than most power metal.
Guitar-wise, Iron Savior always delivers. Piet and Joachim Küstner deliver crunchy, driving leads, sleek, melodic harmonies, and soaring solos to complement the larger-than-life compositions. The presence of these burly riffs always set Iron Savior apart from the Euro-power throngs and it’s a big part of the overall appeal for me. This doesn’t feel frilly and pirate-shirty, and I greatly appreciate that. Piet’s vocals also push the Savior sound into heavier realms. He’s got a rough, rowdy snarl and a restrained baritone that packs more macho than the typical distressed-testicle Euro-power wailer. This modicum of grit and edge is an asset and Savior’s secret weapon.
At this point in their career Iron Savior are on cruise control, releasing album after album of good material with very good to excellent high points. It feels like they could do this forever, and they most likely will. Saying Firestar is better or worse than the last few albums is too close a call to make. I may want another World Eater release like Unification or Dark Assault, but I can certainly get by with albums of this quality. You can too, so join the Space Force and visit Firestar. Service guarantees Iron citizenship.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: AFM
Websites: iron-savior.com | facebook.com/ironsavior
Releases Worldwide: October 6th, 2023
