As with the village fire brigade, the…Supergroup-Alarm! Whereby…are IRON ALLIES a supergroup in the actual sense or rather a new formation of well-known, usual suspects, doing old things under a new banner? Because with David Reece (ex-ACCEPTex-BONFIRE) und Herman Frank (u.a. VICTORY, ex-ACCEPT) are primarily allied to two well-known dignitaries from the predominantly Teutonic heavy metal and hard rock sector. And the other followers will by no means surprise the inclined scene-goer, since both Mike Pesin (among others HERMAN FRANKVICTORY) as well as Malte Burkert (DAVID REECEVICTORY) und Francesco Jovino (DAVID REECE, ex-PRIMAL FEAR) come from the immediate environment of said gentlemen and sometimes make music with them elsewhere.
So how does the iron alliance differ from the aforementioned bands – above all ACCEPT, HERMAN FRANK, DAVID REECE and VICTORY?! To put it a little smugly and provocatively: preferably not at all! Because if you want to get to the point briefly and concisely, the IRON ALLIES on their debut “Blood In Blood Out” don’t gamble more than good, traditional Teutonic steel of the Frankish stamp – only this time with Reece’s vocal art. But let’s be honest: Anything else would be pretty far-fetched and unbelievable – after all, Herman Frank’s strumming skills clearly stand out from any constellation of any kind and so the handwriting of the veteran is as striking as ever. Then on top of that David Reece’s iconic quartz rock tube and the contemporary all-star heavy metal fun is complete.
So far so good. The creation under the current banner is not all that surprising and like colleague Sandy with the youngest HERMAN FRANK opus summarizedone may also here in a certain way “generic utility music for the festival campsite” expect that (without any negative value connotation) “experienced and predictable” is. If that doesn’t bother you, you can look forward to high-quality heavy metal fireworks, in which high-speed Teutonic steel cookers of the brand “Full Of Surprises” mix with hard rock-heavy pounders à la “Blood In Blood Out” and “Martyrs Burn” shake hands. ACCEPT (“Evil The Gun”, “Truth Never Mattered” [die Wahrheit, die…die hätte niemandem geholfen…I know…]) and PRIMAL FEAR fans (“Fear No Evil”, “Blood On The Land”) at their expense.
As one quickly sees through, “Blood In Blood Out” shines, in addition to undeniably virtuosic ability, appealing songwriting and a contemporary, powerful production, above all with…dramatic break…reminiscences. I haven’t yet figured out the much-vaunted independence and the stronger focus on ass-kicking Heavy Metal with David Reece on the mic alone seems to justify what feels like the seven thousand four hundred and thirty-eighth band project of the former ACCEPT comrades-in-arms. But as already mentioned, a certain amount of predictability doesn’t detract from the fun, because like so many Stormbringer authors with a soft spot for film and soap ricochets, Herman Frank, who clearly sets the tone here, can’t get out of his skin and has to keep his creative urge appropriately channeled. And as long as the quality of what’s on offer is just as good as it is on the lathe, you can let yourself be sprinkled on without hesitation as a seasoned carbide connoisseur.