Thursday, October 17, 2024

IronFlame - Kingdom Torn Asunder (High Roller Records)



IronFlame returns with a brand-new album, Kingdom Torn Asunder.  It’s great to see an up and coming band making steady progress while maintaining a certain level of excitement.  Kingdom Torn Asunder is without a doubt one of the best heavy metal releases of 2024.  It’s a very sincere record that celebrates the music and the passion of its main creator.

Andrew D’Cagna is the sole creator of this album, and once again he is victorious in his quest at creating a perfect heavy metal record.  D’Cagna is one of the few visionaries who possess the ability to envision each layer of the song, and then have the means to carry it out in the studio.  Much like Athenar of Midnight, or Chris Black of High Spirits, D’Cagna’s musical wit and skills rate him very highly among his peers.  The only difference here, is that both guitar players, Quinn Lukas and Jesse Scott, from the live band wrote and performed their leads on the record.  When you have players this good available, it would be a sin the keep them on the leash.

Kingdom Torn Asunder is full of many great compositions.  The songs have a very melodic feel, and before you know it, you are singing along with most of the tracks.  Lyrically, it’s the medieval fantasy, but upon closer examination, metaphorically, many of these tracks can be interpreted differently.  If you look hard enough, you will find what you’re searching.  Either way, it’s an incredibly rewarding listen, and you’ll find yourself going back to this record again and again.

IronFlame struck gold here!  They’ve developed a very rich sound and a style, and now they are able to move places within it.  The mood of this record is a lot lighter, and more in sync with European metal bands than it was on Where Madness Dwells, yet both of them are definite IronFlame releases.  One can only wonder where D’Cagna will go next, but in the meantime, Kingdom Torn Asunder is the name of the game.  Big chords, big words, and soaring delivery, just pure magic!

Mark Kadzielawa

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