IRON SAVIOR, the power metal band, formed in Hamburg, Germany back in 1996, is still alive and kicking and back with their fourteenth release “Firestar” hitting the stores on October 6, 2023 on AFM Records. Following a period of several years working behind the scenes in music production, multi-instrumentalist Piet Sielck (the only remaining original member) joined with former HELLOWEEN bandmate Kai Hansen in a new project that would blend power metal with a high-concept science fiction storyline and Sielck explains how and why this originated, “despite certain fantasy/sci-fi leanings, is always about the basic rules of coexistence, about respect and tolerance, about good and evil, and evidence, a Hanseatic view of things”. Don’t rush to Google dear readers, Hanseatic means “a commercial and defensive confederation of free cities in Northern Germany and surrounding areas”. Germany’s contribution to the heavy metal and hard rock musical landscape has always been monumental with some of the most influential, popular and top grossing bands, past and present, and for IRON SAVIOR to be included in that conversation and help carry the torch is impressive.

Opening playfully with a hardened “Irish jig” riff on “The Titan”, not sure why, but it did make me smile and leads me to believe the band doesn’t take themselves very seriously as we head to “Curse of the Machinery” and back to metal with a fast and furious explosive banging riff setting the pace as the throaty, deep vocals take over delivering that true “German power metal” sound. Not too much to say about the next two tracks “In the Realm of Heavy Metal” and “Demise of the Tyrant” as they both deliver the same thundering chops and solid backing backbeat but I just felt they were copy-cats of each other, nothing really to get excited about. The title track “Firestar” provides a little more diversity with an infectious chorus and over the speed limit riffs while the vocals pack a more solid punch delivering an edger, meaty attitude. “Mask, Cloak and Sword” has a MANOWAR sound and feel from the title to the musical composition. With punchy riffs and a dose of speed metal on “Rising From Ashes” highlighted with the best guitar work so far, but unfortunately we’re nine songs in. Ending the album with “Nothing Is Forever” and “Together as One” had a “filler” feel to me with syrupy melody that has a prefabricated and predicable sound that just simply fell flat.

Hmmm….what’s the word I’m looking for? I guess the least harsh would be….disappointed. It just feels like they mailed this one in, “Firestar” lacked bite, lacked nastiness, lacked muscle. While they delivered an enjoyable listening album, just not what I expected from a band with their metal history releasing high quality power/speed metal for over 27 years.