Running free and untamed, caring for nothing but for the will of a youthful spirit bursting with energy, twisting and turning, roaming with an utmost respects for the roots that made it all happen in the first place. This is not going to be another journey to the British Isles where Metal was conceived, yet a turn to the city of Ottawa from the big Metal state of Ontario, Canada. A due of Metal maniacs called the IRON DOGS decided to relive and revamp the classic years of the genre, studded with knits and pins, dressed in leather, the NWOBHM on its final early 80's stage before its altered and developed post status throughout the mid 80's. Entranced by the blazing guns of early BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, MOTORHEAD, ANGEL WITCH, proto Speed masters SATAN, Doom headed CIRITH UNGOL while also incorporating a sheik of old British Punk molded with Metal al'a ENGLISH DOGS and THE PLASMATICS, the band's second offering of rawness, "Free And Wild", via Iron Bonehead Productions, is a fine tribute to the British infestation, etching to be classy, but with an additional road to cover before reaching that prestige.

Nothing but honesty, that is probably the first thing that got to my head as I wrapped up and other listening session with "Free And Wild". Not a chance for anything that can be regarded as a renewal, just a bolted, fast paced driven contribution to the old school revival that has been gathering for an invasion for the past decade. The feel of the early 80's is undeniable, the album's general production is no less and no more than anything that was produced back in the day, yet somewhat more polished and clean as not everything in the past was that slick. Furthermore, Jo Capitalicide and Dan Lee, both hailing from obscure Metal acts that scoured through the old school shape up to some nasty extremities, lined up very nice arrangements for the songs. Largely, the material ticked, whittling through the skin with a shade of a mixed late 70's with early 80's type of guitar harmonies embraced by a thin layer of Synth though sometimes felt shoddy. The riffs appeared complex on several points portraying the old NWOBHM perpetual touch of sin, yet the songs mainly acclaimed standard drumming style between Metal and old Punk, complimenting the era nonetheless well performed. "Evil in the Keep", is less catchy, however its Metal / Punk diversity is admirable, got to appreciate those licks. "Island of the Dead" is an old Speed Metal relic, shattering with great melodic riffs, crossing with a fantastic energetic chorus of a moderately Punkish nature. Capitalicide's vocal performance rather resembled a Punkster singing in a fairly flatline but quite adequate. Let's just say that his songwriting and guitaring skills are a high level up in comparison to his singing.

"Free And Wild" is like an uncultivated animal, sometimes street marauder like but with a cunning musical perspective of the same IRON MAIDENish fruitfulness of the early 80's. Sure I would have preferred energetic vocal section and a little bit of zing to the songs, but all in all, more than worthy of your time folks, explore the old school prowess.