Showing that Metal is truly an International genre, IRON CURTAIN from Iberia in Spain unleash this their third album and as the title suggests the band are "Guilty as Charged" as they deliver a in your face, no bullshit required Metallic rock and roll album in the vein of MOTORHEADwith influences from Tank and perhaps a touch of Raven. While the album itself wears its street cred on its sleeve there is also a healthy dose of melody thrown into the mix and while, as the bands info suggests, these melodic tendencies are influenced by bands such as Def Leppard or Accept I can also hear strong Maiden and Priest references in their sound, evident on the first song ''Into the Fire''.  A classic metal song in the vein of the aforementioned bands with more than an amble touch of MOTORHEAD, it does not waste time with a long intro, going instead straight into a forward driving, galloping riff, undermined by a strong double bass groove that moves the song swiftly forward. Garnered with cool gang shouts in the chorus, the vocals demonstrate a good range that is at once powerful yet gritty.

Introduced by a sample of a Lion roaring in the jungle ''Lions Breath'' is as the title suggests a forward driving, mid paced song that gradually picks up speed with some impressive guitar work that is at once melodic but that also has a certain street vibe to it giving the sound of the band a level of authenticity. The song closes with the same intro of a Lion as it began, the song signifying a sense of freedom and a love of the open road.

''Take it back'', another stomper of note, with its straight ahead punk and rock and roll influenced Metal, no bullshit no excuses, with a cool short breakdown about half way through the song that leads into a short and fast solo before reverting back into the songs rhythm.  Just before the ending of the song there is another short break in the songs structure, the breakdown this time reminding the listener of "Ace Of Spades" by Lemmy and co.

''Relentless'' brings to light some of those ACCEPT influences in the guitar work and in the songs overall rhythm and is compared to the first few songs a relatively slower affair. A perfect example of a stadium or arena Metal song, the track has an anthemic quality to it and one can only imagine the crowds singing and chanting along to the chorus, fists held high with a beer in hand.

Although ''Iron Price'', is another mid paced stomper of a track with a short and somewhat proggy break the band try and succeed in varying the rhythm slightly introducing subtle changes in the songs rhythmic structure that make it interesting

''Outlaw'', kind of reminds me of METALLICA due to the singers vocal intonations that here sound similar to a younger Mr Hetfield around their Kill Em All Era. Interestingly MOTORHEAD themselves had a song on one of their later albums also entitled Outlaw and just like that track, this one gives the listener that feeling that only Metal can give you, a feeling of feeling powerful and free simultaneously and ready to take on the world.

All the remainder of the songs are equally as strong as all those gone before especially ''Wild and Rebel'' with its memorable chorus and some hard pound double bass action. Overall this is an awesome album. Does it offer anything new or unheard of? no it does not but then again not everything has to be the best thing since the invention of sliced bread. What IRON CURTAIN manage here is a well written and perfectly arranged piece of pure Metal and Rock and Roll with a refreshing punk vibe and it will be very interesting indeed to see where this band go next. So put this in your stereo, crank it up to 11, give your arsehole boss the finger and in the words of one Max Cavalera - Fuck Shit Up!!

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