Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Made Of Iron - ST 2004 Sonic Age Records reviewed by: EC

Track Listing1. Fight For The Cross,Die for Jerusalem 2. The Storm Just Begun 3. Made Of Iron 4. The Alchemist 5. Never Deny Your Fate 6. Peace In flames 7. Time To Repent 8. Gates To Purgatory 9. King Of All Kings

Sonic Age has done wonderful things of late, releasing quality new bands like Valkija and Bloodstained this year along with my album of the year, Overlorde's "Return Of The Snow Giant". The label has followed up their recent success with another good effort, the self titled debut of Made Of Iron.

These metal youngsters were originally in an Iron Maiden cover band together. In 2002 they switched gears and released their first Made Of Iron demo. In 2003 they released another demo and a seven inch which caught the fancy of Cult Metal Classics, who also owns Sonic Age. The two instantly agreed on a contract and this debut was born.

Made Of Iron will satisfy the needs of every power metal enthusiast. It has the traditional elements of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, built on speed and power primarily with the added dosage of melody and flash. The group really focus their efforts on bass driven rhythm much like Maiden or Dio-era Sabbath. Vocalist Jim Over has a rich mid-range, never soaring to falsetto highs, which seems to be the norm these days. Over's range is suited well for this band though, with guitarist Nicko Nikolaidis keeping everything speedy but never over the top.

Metal fans will do well wih cuts like "Fight For The Cross, Die For Jerusalem", "Peace In Flames", and the majestic epic "King Of All Kings". Made Of Iron really showcase a tight cohesive unit here, with Nikolaidis' superb playing and the "bumblebee" bass of Andreas Classen. This is really good stuff, but with most debuts there are things that can be improved on. I would like to hear the band write more catchy hooks and work on some of their lyrics. This album has plenty of memorable chops, but at times the material is just lacking something and I find myself "missing" songs.

Overall a quality, top notch album that strives to be the best it can be. It is only a debut, with the band really only two years in. Greater things will come, and with a fantastic label backing them the sky is truly the limit. Recommended for fans of Cryonic Temple, Rising Faith, Pegazus, and the big boys like Maiden and Priest.


--EC 12.20.04