IRON FIRE – Beyond The Void
With a career spanning nearly twenty years, Iron Fire comes out swinging but missing with their ninth studio album Beyond The Void. As one of the earlier, new generation Power Metal bands, getting their start at the beginning of the 2000s, Iron Fire has evolved and changed over the years. Some will argue that their earlier material was stronger and more true to their roots, while others will say that their later albums (this one included) offers a more modern, relevant sound. While their skill is undeniable, the current sound of the band is starting to become a bit dated. Iron Fire is in a unique position of having tried to blend their classic Power Metal influences with mid-late 2000s era bands, creating a down-tuned meets Speed Metal sound that, at the time, was welcome. Now though, it seems that the band may have clung to tightly to the style that brought them success in the middle of their career. Without another revolution in sound, that style may drag them down like a merciless iron anchor. Although you can hear that the band is really trying on Beyond The Void, the overall album sounds stale, both in technical execution and artistic inspiration. Perhaps either a return to a more traditional Power Metal sound, or a move in a more Progressive Metal direction would re-light the iron forges for this band. As it is, Beyond The Void is not bad by any means, but simply has no real impact or sense of importance. Iron Fire is band that is capable of great things, and this fact makes the album’s lack of noteworthiness even more painful. TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!
