Iron Thrones The Wretched Sun
by Joe Mis
Staff Writer
Iron Thrones bills themselves as a progressive/melodic metal band. While definitely showing elements of both, this quartet from Minneapolis, Minn. is more. Their music also has elements of death metal, metalcore and even a touch of epic orchestral metal rolled in. The band claims their current release The Wretched Sun is an EP, although this EP’s six songs run more than 40 minutes.
Assembled from former members of Everest, Iron Thrones released their first album Visions Of Light as a free download and limited edition CD in 2008. The band won Scion’s “No Label Needed” contest and headed to New York to record The Wretched Sun. Iron Thrones claims influences from Opeth, Burst, Between the Buried and Me, Cult of Luna, Cave In and Thrice, but they write long songs with intense vocals and moody instrumental passages showing that their songwriting structure was influenced by Iron Maiden.
Vocalist Adam Clemans fronts the band and would be right at home in any death metal act. Huge roars and thick, raspy screams are his forte, but he seems to be easier to understand than many screamers, similar to Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis. He also has a decent clean singing voice, although his range appears limited. Steven Henningsgard is a very good metal guitarist although he does not step to the front with many blistering solos. He is content to lay down thick and heavy riffs and small trills and fills, but he can solo well when he choses. Peter Clarke (drums) and Curtis Parker (bass) are a titanic bottom end that can dish it all out – hard and crunchy to soft and intricate.
“Like A Moth To Flame” opens the album with a pounding drum line and full on death metal style vocals. Lyrically the band is closer to Metalcore, dealing with issues like isolation and personal loss rather the typical death metal “evil” topics. “Ever Flowing” features some absolutely amazing drum and bass line, and terrifying vocals. “Against The Grain”’s manic double bass drums, blistering bass and sudden tempo changes show that the band really has a solid grasp of song structuring and gobs of talent. The band drops into a low key and melodic instrumental passage driven by the drums and percussion – very reminiscent of Iron Maiden’s “Rime Of the Ancient Mariner.” Undoubtedly the strongest track on the album, this song allows each member their time in the spotlight.
“I Once Had The Crown” opens with some soft and mellow phrases, but at eleven minutes plus it becomes overly repetitious and bogs down even after the energy is cranked up (and down and up and down). “Forever Glowing” is a soft and quiet instrumental that seems out of place on the album, but it gives the listener a chance to relax before “And The Sky Came Falling Down” drives the power back up. The finale features some great bass work and a few measures of clean vocals with a bit of an Alice In Chains vibe, and the long outro just bubbles over with great double bass and immense guitar solos.
The Wretched Sun is recommended with reservations. Anyone who does not appreciate death metal roaring vocals will not enjoy this, as the vast majority of the vocals are screamed and the amount of “clean” singing is minimal. The music is performed flawlessly and with an amazing amount of energy and enthusiasm. Beautifully engineered and nicely arranged, the music will appeal to fans of progressive metal who can tolerate the vocals. Death metal aficionados will enjoy some of the music, but may be put off a bit by the “soft” lyrics and themes. On the whole, The Wretched Sun is brutal and intense at times, and complex and intricate at others. If nothing else, this continuous contrast makes for an interesting listen.
This band has a relatively unique sound and a great future. A little more experience and growth will polish these Iron Thrones to a brilliant shine.
Genre: Progressive Metal
Band:
Adam Clemans (vocals)
Peter Clarke (drums)
Curtis Parker (bass)
Steven Henningsgard (guitars)
Track Listing:
1. Like A Moth To Flame
2. Ever Flowing
3. Against The Grain
4. I Once Had The Crown
5. Forever Glowing
6. And The Sky Came Falling Down
Label: Indie
Website: http://ironthrones.com/, http://www.myspace.com/ironthrones
Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10