Ironsword is one of those bands who hasn’t done anything bad. Every single release they’ve put out has been great, full of amazing guitars and been a perfect soundtrack for when you’re reading Conan or any other Sword & Sorcery stories!
Their latest album Servants of Steel was an incredible listening experience and showcased the bands maturing and trying new things but still keeping their sound true to what makes Ironsword Ironsword. Ever since I came over that album I’ve been hunting down all of their releases and still yearned for more, and we finally got new material in the form of this small Ep called Underground.
I would also like to add that former drummer João Monteiro passed away last year, so my condolences to his family and the members of Ironsword!
From the very beginning you’re in for a treat as the opening title track hits you in the face with crushing guitar riffs and snarling vocals from Tann! This track is an instant classic along with the EP’s slower song A Witch Shall Be Born (based on the Robert E Howard story). People have in the past compared Ironsword with the classic Metal band Manilla Road but I’d say that this track is where it REALLY starts feeling like Manilla Road, and it makes sense as new drummer Neudi who recently joined the band was the last drummer for mentioned Manilla Road. If that’s not enough for you Tann also recruited previous Manilla bass payer Phil Russ and had Rick Fisher and Randy Foxe guest playing for two of the tracks… so basically only Tann remains as the original Ironsword member, all others playing on this EP are former Manilla Road members!
And though I think Ironsword had their own sound I’m not disapproving them sounding more like Manilla Road. I think we all miss them and Mark Shelton (may he rest in peace) and if there is anyone who could pick up where they left off it’s gotta be Ironsword. Neudi is an amazing drummer and can have great influence over the bands song writing, but I hope that they still keep it true to the Ironsword sound we love from the previous albums.
Don’t get me wrong, Underground is an amazing (but short) EP that gives us the fans what we’ve been waiting for, but at some points it really sounds like this could be Manilla Road resurrected and it’s a bit scary. But scary good in a weird way that we get amazing music that feels long lost, but could it mean the end of the original Ironsword sound? I don’t know, but I’m enjoying it and that’s gotta count for something!
Oh and Tann, if you’re reading this: We really need a re-release of your album Overlords of Chaos! It’s so damn hard to find, expensive on the second hand market and on top of that my local post office destroyed my copy so that sucks the big one! We really need this album available again!
Jävla Musik 
Posted on January 10, 2024
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