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Iron Mask - Shadow Of The Red Baron

Label: Lion Music
Format: CD download
Released: 2010
Reviewed By: Mark Gromen
Rating: 7 /10


Back in the day, this might have been an impulse purchase, on artwork alone: the cover showing an Eddie-ish figure, in signature red tri-Fokker and blazing machinegun, sending bi-planes to a fiery death. Eleven neo-classical guitar anthems (an unnatural byproduct of a Rhapsody/Symphony X liaison), the handiwork of guitarist/composer Dushan Petrossi, ably helped by Oliver Dawson (vocals on ‘Dreams’) as well as various musicos from Reign Of Terror, Narina and even Lion Music honcho Lars Eric Mattsson, who contributes third guitar on a ‘Sahara’.

 

Despite the characterization as neo-classical, this isn’t ripping solos left and right (witness the acoustic begun ‘My Angel Is Gone’, complete with operatic female backing vox). The gun sound effects on the lively title number compete and nearly mar the six-string shredding. A grittier voice (and baritone backing choir) inhabits the mid-tempo ‘Forever In The Dark’, peppered with sporadic piano keys.

On the opposite end of the vitality spectrum is the plodding (and rather lame) ‘Resurrection’. If that’s a new life, rising from the ashes, then put them out of our misery. Hot on the pirate-metal these popularized by Alestorm and the success of the Johnny Depp movies, there ‘Black Devil Ship’ another mild paced excuse to say "aye" and speak in buccaneer brogue. ‘Universe’ returns to high spirits, akin to something off Sym X’s "Odyssey" (apart from those Italian influenced choruses), while outside the classically influenced breaks, the concluding ‘Ghost Of The Tzar’ is closest to death metal, including the modulated/barked vocals. Odd way to end an album, but a fun ride nevertheless, although with a little paring down, would be even more enjoyable.

 
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