IRONBOUND was formed in 2014 and hails from Rybnik, Poland. They released their debut album “The Lightbringer” in 2021, and now, three years later, it is time for the sophomore album. They named it “Serpent’s Kiss” and it is a fine example of Polish NWOTHM. What becomes clear when the guitars come in is that the guitarists have taken a leaf out of the massive book of IRON MAIDEN. Not only that, even the breaks have that feel. You have to think back mainly to the Paul Di’Anno days, but also to the first two with Bruce Dickinson. At least that is the connection my brain keeps making when listening to the album.

Is that a problem? Well, not really, as long as the songs have a certain quality. They have to be pleasant to listen to and give you a good feel when you are doing just that. And you can rest assured, they have. They are not innovative, nor are they sounding old-fashioned. Because I have to admit that IRONBOUND has been able to transfer the MAIDEN sound of the early eighties to the current times in a more than acceptable way. The fact that the 46 minutes that “Serpent’s Kiss” is long, you will not be bored. On the other hand, when listening, you regularly get the urge to grab one of the albums of their peers and relive the emotions they have always brought to you. I don’t think that such is the goal you are reaching for when releasing your own music.

What does annoy me a little bit is the poor pronunciation of the English language that is quite apparent on “Serpent’s Kiss”. Especially on the title track, as they should know the difference between how you pronounce the word closer. You have a closer at baseball with a very loose s, and you can have someone come closer, which has a very strong s. it is just an example, but it is the one that is used the most times. Please, if you are not singing in your own language, get someone in that language to help you along with the words leaving your mouth in the right way.

But let’s get back to the music. Like I said, there are qualities there, but IRONBOUND needs to create a sound that is more unique to them instead o sounding like someone else. Plus a language coach. If they tackle those issues, I am sure that in time they will evolve into a real NWOTHM force. I would love to be able to experience that happening.