Iron Mask is a very melodic and energetic neoclassical power metal band led by guitarist Dushan Petrossi (also of Magic Kingdom). Hordes of the Brave is their second disc, but since I've never heard their debut release, I have no idea how they've evolved and progressed. That said, judging by its own merits, the album impresses with its huge production work that sucks the listener in and with its vast array of guests who grace this album. Oliver Hartmann (ex-At Vance, Empty Tremor) not only recorded the vocals of this album, but also sang on three numbers: "The Invisible Empire", "Crystal Tears" and "Iced Wind of the North". Fans of older At Vance are going to love these songs, not the mention the other tracks sung by the new vocalist.
The other tunes are successfully delivered by Goetz Mohre whose singing is highly evocative of Graham Bonnet and Jorn Lande. After listening to the album the first few times, I likened him to Oliver Hartmann a bit, but felt the three songs with Hartmann were more to my liking. However, closer listening revealed that Mohre's vocals were exactly what gave Iron Mask's sophomore output its replay value. This guy is amazing; he does the typical Euro power metal style high pitched singing on the opening song "Holy War", belts out killer screams on the likes of "High in the Sky" or simply creates excellent vocal harmonies on "Freedom's Blood" or the album's masterwork "Alexander the Great", who the album is a tribute to. Easily the kind of song that makes me love this overdone genre, "Alexander the Great" employs a dark musical tapestry that makes me think of Kamelot's The Black Halo (which is so far the best power metal disc of the year), a mystical atmosphere, and mid-paced, crunchy guitar riffs. Although extremely competent on his guitar, Dushan Petrossi plays his sweep picked notes with admirable restraint and sticky melodies that combine energy, fantasy and virtuosity all in one. The song praises Alexander the Great's warrior nature and the respect he showed for the lands he invaded and their people's rights and races. A bit epic and theatrical (hence the Kamelot comparison), the song also offers nice 70's retro rock elements as Mohre's powerful singing could easily be mistaken for Bonnet in his heyday.
On keyboards we have Richard Andersson (Time Requiem, Majestic) and he not only creates lush symphonic textures, but also duets with Petrossi's guitar, reminding me of Yngwie Malmsteen's Odyssey opus featuring Jens Johansson on keys. The catchy "Demon's Child" and classical-tinged "Troops of Avalon" showcase Andersson's talents and prove his undeniable contribution to this album. The rhythm section is carried right over from Petrossi's Magic Kingdom: Vassili Moltchanov on bass and Russian drummer Anton Arkhipov wrap each song up. Arkhipov's drumming is far from the incessant double-bass drum; he follows some incredible rhythm patterns on the Oliver Hartmann-sung "The Invisible Empire" or majestically pounds his set on "Time" whose 'happy' guitar interlude is quite possibly the most jaw-dropping section of this record. It combines both Petrossi's classical influences (Verdi, Paganini, Mozart) and his guitar heroes' (Malmsteen, Romeo, Schenker) signature sound mixed with a style all his own.
Iron Mask doesn't necessarily break new ground, but they certainly know how to stand out in a crowd with numerous Helloween, Iron Maiden and Rainbow clones. What's more is, they're far from a one-man band thing, where all the guitarist does is play long, meaningless instrumental sections. On the contrary, they add a totally mindblowing singer to the realms of melodic metal: Goetz Mohre - check him out.
Track Listing
- Holy War
- Freedom's Blood - The Patriot
- The Invisible Empire
- High in the Sky
- Demon's Child
- Alexander the Great - Hordes of the Brave Part 1
- Crystal Tears
- Iced Wind of the North
- Time
- My Eternal Flame
- Troops of Avalon
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