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Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder
Ironflame - Kingdom Torn Asunder Album Art

Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder

Traditional Heavy/Power Metal
4.0/5.0

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High Roller Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 15.07.2024 | Released: 26.07.2024

Wheeling, West Virginia, is not the first place I think of being a hotbed for underground heavy metal. But that burg is the home to Andrew D'Cagna, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, creator of Ironflame. Known for his heavy metal versatility, D'Cagna traverses genres from blackened doom metal (Coldfells) to folk/black metal (Nechochwen) to more traditional metal (Icarus Witch). Ironflame turns more in that latter direction, more a combination or hybrid of American and European heavy power metal. D'Cagna returns with his fifth and latest Ironflame album, Kingdom Torn Asunder wherein it remains a DIY project. Excepting lead guitar from Quinn Lukas (Icarus Witch) and Jesse Scott (Defy The Tide), again, he handles everything else.

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Ironflame

Of the album, D'Cagna has said, Kingdom Torn Asunder is a classic Ironflame album. All of the elements that make an Ironflame album are present: twin guitar harmonies, memorable hooks, catchy choruses and good album flow. The writing formula has not changed for us, neither has the recording formula." With repetition, consistency is Ironflame's metal formula.


Wherein D'Cagna would preface previous remarks with this: "If I had to describe the album to anyone who is already familiar with Ironflame and is a fan of our music, I would say you will not be disappointed." In other words, Ironflame is not reinventing the power metal wheel nor venturing into a musical universe where no man has gone.

Mostly, its gallop and groove from the start culminating with fingers flying-on-the-fret board guitar solos. This is self-evident with Mistress Of Desire, Blood And Honor, Riding The Dragons, and Soul Survivors. Tempo can vary at times as with Shadow Of The Reaper and Majesty Of Steel, yet things can remain speedy. While available on LP (and cassette for those over 60 years of age), diehard Ironflame fans will want to also buy the CD version of the album for its two bonus tracks. Cold Flesh Falls (nice rock groove) and Exile Of The Sun, will not be on the shiny black vinyl addition.

All in all, Ironflame's Kingdom Torn Asunder offers their signature and consistent old school, twin guitar-driven, heavy power metal. You get exactly what you would expect. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Recommended for fans of the genre.


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The Take Away

All in all, Ironflame's Kingdom Torn Asunder offers their signature and consistent old school, twin guitar-driven, heavy power metal. You get exactly what you would expect. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Recommended for fans of the genre.

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