Iron Slaught - Metallic Torments

 Iron Slaught is a heavy metal band from France who formed in 2011.  Their latest release, “Metallic Torments,” is their second full-length album.  I’ll admit that when I see the words “heavy metal” “traditional metal” or any combination therefore in a promo copy I’m sent, it makes me apprehensive.  I, of course, don’t have anything against the more old-school/traditional side of the genre, but I’d say 90% of anything with that label or tag doesn’t excite me.  However, the kick-ass artwork on this album made me check out the music.  In essence, I came for the cover art but stayed for equally kick-ass music.

Iron Slaught definitely have an old-school notion about them, but I’ll be damned this album isn’t a non-stop banger.  Everything about this is pure energetic fury:  the riffs, the vocals, the tempo….the band burns through the songs like it's the last thing they will ever do, and it translates amazingly well. 

The production captures the feel of late 80’s/early 90’s metal but it sounds meatier–a lot of weight on the low end and the guitars feel full and alive.  The energy is palpable, emanating off the killer tone.  The songs tend to be quite fast, a lot of speed/thrash metal influence but still plenty of room for high-flying melodies.  

The vocals aren't from some dude trying to do his best Halford or Dickinson impression, either.  There is a roughness to them; they aren’t extreme metal but somewhere in the middle and much heavier than the average clean voice.  

What I like most about “Metallic Torments,” is that it is an album without pretense.  Iron Slaught wanted to write a balls out heavy fucking metal album and that is what they did.  There isn’t any ambient passage, long drawn-out soundscapes, progressive notions or a multitude of styles.  I enjoy music that incorporates all these things, but I don’t need every band to do it.  Iron Slaught’s desire to keep it old-school actually makes it refreshing in this aspect. 

“Metallic Torments,” is 8 songs across a 44-minute runtime and there isn’t one bad moment to be found.  This album can be picked up and played—just pick any song and you are guaranteed to have your spinal cord damaged with nonstop head banging.  It’s still a joy to listen to straight through, as it flows well.

The album opens with the fierce instrumental, “Harbinger of Afflictions (Prelude To Torments).”  Galloping riffs, harmonizing leads and an imposing rhythm section make this the perfect opening song that sets up the album well.  It’s catchy too and the rising action leads right into the next song.

That song is “Ghastly Obsession," and the guitars are so fast, the song feels like it is constantly on the edge of falling apart but keeps rebuilding itself with more riffs that can be counted with a tempo that is like a moving, burning inferno.    The solo is fantastic, but the bass is just as good—I love that a band of this nature really lets the bass shine because so many faster tempo bands forget about the low end. 

After an ominous bell tone, “Condamne Pour L’Eternite,” creates a harrowing and chilling atmosphere with clever use of guitars to generate a mood that some bands require a keyboardist and a symphony orchestra to generate. The vocals rip out from above, like a demonic entity casting down purging magic across the battlefield. 

The final song, “Fat Retaliations,” actually slows things down with a well-written clean intro and surprisingly emotional melodies.  But the grind and rage come rolling forth soon after, still flavored with a lot of slick lead guitar.  The vocals have a lot of energy, but the entire band is on fire to give this album the ending it deserves.  The middle passage is wonderfully melodic and catchy; the rest of the song latches onto this and the final couple minutes go back and forth between a battering ram and a battering ram that is melodic but still killing your face.

I’ve had a lot of good luck with promos lately, finding a lot of unexpected albums that have been exciting.  Iron Slaught’s “Metallic Torments,” is definitely one of those albums and it just might restore your faith in good old fashioned, face-melting heavy metal. 

Rating:  Great