Year : 2018
Style : Heavy Metal , Power Metal
Country : Germany
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans + Video
Size : 169 mb
Bio:
1980. NWOBHM echoes could be heard throughout the whole world and bands like Iron Maiden, Saxon, Def Leppard and Judas Priest made England the Heavy Metal Mecca. But not only in the UK Metal was becoming a youth phenomenon. At the same time, five young German boys got together to play the same kind of music their english heroes played. They didn´t take themselves very seriously and just wanded to play their mix of Kiss, Motörhead and Judas Priest in schools around their hometown. Their band was called Metal Gods, a clear hommage to Judas Priest. Later the band was renamed into IRON ANGEL...At that time, there weren´t many German Hard Rock / Heavy Metal acts. Scorpions, featuring the Schenker brothers, had some success with their melodic rock and Accept followed a more traditional english style, with Udo Dirkschneider´s unusual vocals as a trademark. However, there was a brand new underground scene willing to breakthrough and show the world a new style, heavier but still influenced by all those classic bands. Everywhere in the world, new bands started popping up, each one adding a new feature to Heavy Metal. Some of these (such as the swedish Bathory and the swiss Hellhammer) followed the steps of the english Venom, a band that became a reference regarding extreme and Satanic metal. Soon, new bands that differed a lot fom the english sound and look started arising in Germany. Running Wild and their unusual lyrics, Avenger, who would soon become Rage, and the ultra fast and melodic Helloween were some of those new German bands. All of them had something in common, and they were pretty different from the traditional english bands, so the term Power Metal started being used to describe their sound.Unfortunately, WINDS OF WAR was heavily criticized upon its release. However, anyone listening to the album nowadays can see how inappropriate this criticism was. It´s a lesson in metal and shows a natural progression to the sound portrayed on HELLISH CROSSFIRE, having tracks like METALSTORM, STRONGER THAN STEEL and SEA OF FLAMES as outstanding highlights. However, the changes in both the band´s sound and lyrics made the members start having different opinions about the band´s future. Some wanted to keep the HELLISH CROSSFIRE sound, while the others intended to change even more, adopting a more Glam / Hard Rock oriented style, so that they could reach the American market. Due to these huge differences, the band broke up shortly after the release of the second album. After the band´s break up, each member followed their own path. Some continued playing with other unknown local bands, while others retired completely from the musical scene. Drummer Mike Matthes and vocalist Dirk Schroeder even got some recognition playing in Jurgen Blackmore´s band Superstition/J.R. Blackmore Group, whitch featured Ritchie Blackmore´s (DEEP PURPLE) son.After almost 15 years away from the scene, the band got together and started recording a new album, to be called THE REBIRTH, in 2000. Unfortunately, Peter Wittke died in a car accident, putting off these plans. After this, in 2004 the band released two live-albums with old live-recordings from a german tour with King Diamond, called THE TAPES, and a limited (BLACK) edition album, called RUSH OF POWER. IRON ANGEL could have become a heavy metal legend, but unfortunately they didn´t get the recognition they deserved, becoming a cult band as the years passed.
Album:
IRON ANGEL is a German speed metal band that was formed back in 1980. After several albums and countless live shows the band took a break. After 15 years away from the scene the reformed and started recording an album in 2000. However, a car accident derailed these plans. IRON ANGEL has now released “Hellbound” to the masses hoping to capture the magic again. “Writings on the Wall” comes out fast and heavy with some awesome guitar riff and drum beats. The vocalist attempts a scream, but it doesn’t have the weight it should. The vocals are solid and are reminiscent of ACCEPT. There are descent guitar solos within the song. Unfortunately, the band doesn’t do anything new with the sound. The sound on this track hasn’t evolved with the times.“Hell and Back” has a very interesting guitar riff to start the song. Another descent track on the album, everything is on point. However, again I would have liked the band to take this sound but do something new with it. With a little experimentation I think the band could have made this song harken back to the old days and give something new. Overall it just sounds like a rehash of former years. “Blood and Leather” have a very nice drum and guitar riff to start the song out. With this song the band begins with something that draws you in and you want to check out. The song continues to give something interesting. I wish more of their songs were like this one. I can feel the bands roots, but they give me something new and interesting with those roots.“Waiting for a Miracle” comes out with a nice opening the band uses their experience to show what they can do with guitars. Unfortuanlty this song falls back into the cookie cutter 80s speed metal song. It is probably the weakest song on the album, because there are some questionable vocals in the chorus that seem like they were just phoned in. The whole song just didn’t do it for me. “Purist of Sin” begins like most classic speed metal songs, fast and hard. This song is reaching back to the band’s beginnings. However, again they don’t do anything new with the sound and it just sounds like a rehash of songs from years ago.The band ends the album with “Ministry of Metal”. It’s a descent song for what it is but by the time you get to this song you have heard what IRON ANGEL has to offer. Many of there songs meld into one another and sound like songs from years previous and this is no exception. Overall “Hellbound” is a descent album. It harkens back to speed metal from the 80s. However, that is where its biggest flaw lies. I think for most they have heard this sound done a million times and by a lot more accomplished bands. It would have been nice to see a band from that era like IRON ANGEL take that older sound and experiment with it to bring us something new. Maybe they will on their next album, but this one just fell flat.
Line-Up:
Dirk Schröder - Vocals (1983-1986, 1997-2007, 2015-present) - See also: ex-J.R. Blackmore's Superstition
Robert Altenbach - Guitars (2016-present)
Mischi Meyer - Guitars (2015-present) - See also: Wolfgard, ex-Cu-Sith, ex-Against, ex-Separate-Society, ex-Violent
Didy Mackel - Bass (2015-present) - See also: Not Fragile, Maison, ex-Mad Alien, ex-Mania, ex-Jump
Mäx Behr - Drums (2016-present)
Tracklist:
01. Writing's On The Wall
02. Judgement Day
03. Hell And Back
04. Carnivore Flashmob
05. Blood And Leather
06. Deliverance In Black
07. Waiting For A Miracle
08. Hellbound
09. Purist Of Sin
10. Ministry Of Metal
+ Video "Ministry Of Metal" (Official Video)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
