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Review: Made of Iron - Made of Iron
Made of Iron
www.madeofiron.com
Made of Iron

Label: Sonic Age Records
Year released: 2004
Duration: 48:55
Tracks: 9
Genre: Heavy Metal

Rating:
4/5


Review online: December 9, 2004
Reviewed by: Michel Renaud
Readers' Rating
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Rated 4/5 (80%) (4 Votes)
Review

Hey... I didn't know Iron Maiden had released a new album? Breathe, I was just kidding. Made of Iron started as a Maiden tribute band: The name of the band is a good hint, and also their previous logo, which used a Maiden-like font. Even without that, just listening to this debut would be enough to tip any listener. In fact, if they had Dickinson on vocals and Harris on bass, this could almost pass as a Maiden album. If you were to take the Maiden albums up to and including Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son and mix a bit of everything, you'd get something very close to this album. And that should describe this band's music right there: Strongly Maiden-influenced NWOBHM, albeit slightly modernised. The song structures and the guitar playing, more particularly, scream "Maiden!". OK, I think I've made my point, so let's carry on. :)

The vocals are the "weak" part here. I use "weak" only for lack of a better word, because the vocals aren't actually bad, but the singer could use some improvement in his technique. Sometimes he sounds like he's in good control of his voice, sometimes it feels like he's gonna slip. His style is comparable to an average power metal singer - not great, not bad, just OK - Not horrible by any means, and some of the vocal lines are quite memorable and enjoyable. I wonder what he sounds like doing Maiden covers, that would be interesting to hear.

Made of Iron won't shine by their originality (at least not with this album), but this proves their competence as musicians and the songs are pretty damn good (a couple are sub-par compared to the rest, but still good.) They did a great job marrying the various sounds of Maiden's early career and added just enough twists here and there to mark their territory (although the border is a bit blurry. :)) Anyone into the early Maiden stuff should have a damn good time listening to this - it's got it all: Galloping riffs, cool solos, overall good vocals, and nice drum work. Frankly the only thing one can bitch about is that this sounds a bit too much like a Maiden copycat. But when it's so well done I say: Fuck it, I'm having a great time listening to this nice piece of traditional heavy metal. I'm already looking forward to their next album.

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