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Given all the Power Metal albums being released in 2014, it is no surprise Piet Sielck's Iron Savior has also unleashed a new one; album #8, Rise of the Hero. You have to hand it to Sielck-the-producer who always gets a great sound, especially from Sielck-the-vocalist/guitarist. Rise of the Hero is full of the distinctively dry, gritty guitar tone that is the hallmark of Sielck-produced records. Song-wise, Rise of the Hero contains several top-notch, speedy Iron Savior anthems. "Last Hero," "Thunder from the Mountains" and "Firestorm" are just a few of the tracks that should get your blood pumping and your fist in the air. You've heard songs like this before, from Iron Savior no less (think Condition Red) but I would take Rise of the Hero over a lot of other things these days. Sielck does take a tentative step outside the box with a cover of Swedish Rock band Mando Diao's "Dance with Somebody." My first thought was "who does Piet think he is, Whitney Houston?" (Google her first hit if you were born after the 80s). This song is very different from Iron Savior's typical fare and a round of applause for the man who must have some of the biggest balls in Metal for taking such a chance (but let's not do this again, Piet, OK?)

Rise of the Hero is a speedy Power Metal fan's dream though it is ultimately rather derivative, especially of Iron Savior's earlier works. It isn't the best Power Metal album of the year but I still recommend it.

Additional Information

The version reviewed is the limited edition with the bonus track "I've Been to Hell" a re-recorded song that originally appeared on Iron Savior's Dark Assault album.