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To start this review off on a tangent, while listening to Metal Gladiator, the 2023 EP from Spain's Iron Curtain, I decided to check my iPod (yes, you read that correctly, iPod) and see how many bands with names starting with "iron" I had on there. Besides Iron Curtain, I also have Fate, Fire, Flesh, Jaws, Kingdom, Maiden, Mask, Savior, Bound, Flame, and Hawk. I would not have guessed that many. On to the EP. Iron Curtain play loose, raucous heavy metal that sounds greatly influence by the speedy, DIY bands that came out of the NWOBHM led by the legendary Motörhead. Raw-throated singing, fast leadwork and bombastic drumming are the foundation on which Iron Curtain's songs are built and while they have plenty of rough edges, there is a sense of melody and accessibility running through the lot. Quite a few songs on here I'm now realizing also appeared on the last album ("Stormbound," "The Running Man," "Rough Riders"), but there are some newer tracks ("Burn in Hell" and "Metal Gladiator") plus one that will be on their next full-length ("Rattlesnake"), so I'm not sure how mandatory it is unless you are an Iron Curtain completist. It is fun, though. If you like Motörhead and other sweaty, grimy bands such as Tank or Raven, Iron Curtain are for you, though, for your money, maybe check out one of their full-length albums first.