Iron Savior--Unification

Iron Savior--Unification (1999/Noise) Rating--8.8

More of the same power metal bliss that the band started back in '97. The choruses appear to be a bit thicker and more melodic, and the music remains in that same Primal Fear/'Painkiller'-era Priest mold. Once again you have a concept album, and once again Sielck's tunes are the strongest. A couple of surprises, which will be mentioned at the end of the review.
Rapid, furious lead work slashes through "Brothers," and the solid "Eye to Eye" is driving to the end. A steady chug moves "The Battle," with majestic singing in the chorus of "Unchained" making it another highlight. Like the debut, almost every other song is worth mentioning, as there are plenty of power chords, sharp riffs, and double-bass pounding.
Hansen treats us to an updated version of "Gorgar" near the end of the disc, which originally appeared on Helloween's 'Walls of Jericho' album. Pounding and undaunted, it's a force in and of itself. The band does an adequate job covering Sabbath's "Neon Knights," and another add-on is the song "Dragonslayer" by the group Excelsis---the winner of the RockHard band battle competition that Iron Savior put on during its last tour. Excelsis sounds more than a bit like Blind Guardian. Hmmmmm.
TRACK LIST: Coming Home/Starborn/Deadly Sleep/Forces of Rage/Captain's Log/Brothers (Of the Past)/Eye to Eye/ Mind Over Matter/Prisoner of the Void/The Battle/Unchained/Forevermore/Gorgar (Version '98)/Neon Knights/Dragonslayer

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