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Iron Fate: Crimson Messiah
Iron Fate - Crimson Messiah Album Art

Iron Fate: Crimson Messiah

Power Metal
3.0/5.0

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Massacre Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 20.12.2021 | Released: 17.12.2021

Quick now. Name as many rock or metal bands with the word "iron" in them. Iron Butterfly. Iron Maiden. Iron Mask. Iron Savior. Iron Fire. Ironing Board. Or my favorite. Iron Bastards! There's almost as many as those with "black" in the name. Here's Germany's Iron Fate. (Where else would a band with iron in the name come from?) We haven't heard from the band since 2010's Cast In Iron Iron in the album title? What an irony? Now with a new drummer and a new second guitarist, Iron Fate returns wit their sophomore title, Crimson Messiah.

Iron Fate - Click For Larger Image

Iron Fate

Iron Fate is mostly a power metal band with some thrash influences thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, Crimson Messiah is a "hit or miss" proposition depending on the listener. Honestly, I barely got through the first three songs before I had to take a welcome pause. The reason is simple: I found Denis (aka Iron Ivan, of course) Brosowski's vocals hard to endure. He's definitely a metal screamer, but ascreeching singer that is also difficult to understand. (Some might call him "versatile" instead.)

After this most songs are abundant in sharp heavy riffs with a thrashy feeling and things move along rather quickly. But mostly the songs sound harsh such as Crimson Messiah, Crossing Shores, Hellish Queen, or Malleus Maleficatum. Alternatively, Iron Fate tries to mellow with Strangers In My Mind, but this song also gets harsh and heavy, and Iron Ivan degrades into near death vocals. It's almost 10 minutes long, and I had to fight not to type the word, insufferable to describe my experience. (But there it is.)

But then there's the oddity Mirage which, while still heavy, sound more like melodic heavy metal thanks to some solid rock groove underneath. It's probably the only song I enjoyed, but that's a stretch just to be cordial. The real high points: the guitar solos. They're pretty killer throughout the album. Nevertheless, all in all, I found Iron Fate and Crimson Messiah average, redundant, and giving me little desire to listen to the album again after writing this review. But power metal fans should check out and support the band; they may have a different conclusion.




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The Take Away

I found Iron Fate and Crimson Messiah average, redundant, and giving me little desire to listen to the album again after writing this review. But power metal fans should check out and support the band; they may have a different conclusion.

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