Iron Spell-Heavy Metal Witchcraft

Dying Victims Productions
2014

Another true heavy metal band from Santiago? Didn't I just cover the same thing in Lucifer's Hammer not that long ago? Not that there is anything wrong with adding more fuel to the ever-burning fire that is heavy metal! If anything it shows that we might just be looking at one of the newest hotbeds for the scene. And judging by the sheer numbers of classic and traditional heavy metal bands that come from Chile's capital city this trend shows no sign of letting up (at least anytime soon). Not that we would want it to let up or anything right? But, I'm getting ahead of myself which is something I'm far too prone to do (especially this early in the morning when my second cup of coffee hasn't quite kicked in and I'm not firing on all cylinders!) so let's make a (illegal of course!) u-turn and start at the beginning. Technically-speaking "Heavy Metal Witchcraft", which is Iron Spell's first (and so far only) release, is a demo from 2013. As the band first came about in 2013 it sure seems as if they are moving rather fast when talking about going from concept to delivery! Drawing their influences from more then a few of the greats (Iron Maiden, King Diamond, Exciter, Alice Cooper, Saxon, Judas Priest, Running Wild, W.A.S.P., Black Sabbath, Mötley Crüe, Doro & Warlock, Manowar, Thin Lizzy, Grave Digger, Tank, Diamond Head, KISS, Venom, Dio and Accept are all listed on the group's Facebook page!) and using pseudonyms in place of their real names* the band easily makes the case that "Heavy Metal Witchcraft" sound just be the first of many steps as this group matches onward and upward towards true heavy metal glory! For fans of tried and true heavy metal there is much to love about "Heavy Metal Witchcraft" from the Iron Maiden meets Merciful Fate-vibe of "Revelations" to the epic metal that lies at the heart of "Evil Gypsy" (a track that is nearly twelve minutes long!). Along with the above-mentioned reference points (specifically Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Manowar, Black Sabbath and King Diamond) one can pick up on the sound of group's like Armored Saint, Ritual, Legend, Angel Witch, Cloven Hoof, Cutty Sark, Satan and Jaguar. Whether that is all intentional or not is really a moot point as everything from the music (which, besides combining the better parts of classic and traditional/N.W.O.B.H.M.-infused heavy metal ends up featuring great speed metal solos to boot from the pair of Raven and Fire Jack!) to the album's production (somewhat raw it gives "Heavy Metal Witchcraft" a wicked eighties feel!) screams "HEAVY METAL!" and this demo turned (limited edition) cassette-tape perfectly wets the appetite for a forthcoming full-length release. Much like Lucifer's Hammer self-titled EP, which was also recently released on cassette tape by Shadow Kingdom Records, this demo comes with my highest recommendation! You can hear the whole release for yourself right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn-Tm9guMus while (should you so desire) you can pick up a cassette copy of this straight-ahead heavy metal rocker right here: http://www.dying-victims.de/shop/de/

*For example we have vocalist Merciless K.co, bassist Rocko Van Roman and drummer FC Steelhammer!