Lion Music (2009)

Belgian guitarist Dushan Petrossi returns to his main unit Iron Mask with this third full length - four years beyond “Hordes of the Brave”. Also devoting time and energy to symphonic power outfit Magic Kingdom, Dushan approaches “Shadows of the Red Baron” with vigorous explosive capacity, blending his love of neo-classical artistry and nods to the schools of Blackmore-led Deep Purple and early Rainbow.

Main vocalist Goetz ‘Vahalla Jr.’ Mohre channels Graham Bonnet prevalently with his up front, take notice range and forcefulness through immediate headbangers like the mid-tempo “Sahara” (featuring some dual guitar and keyboard can you top this solo mastery) and the faster, speed-laced title track. At other times you’ll hear tinges of Irish-cultural riffing like another of Dushan’s mentors, the great Gary Moore, in a slower epic like “Black Devil Ship”.

Dushan’s style includes nods to Michael Romeo and Yngwie Malmsteen with arpeggio note storms raining across the guitar. To all of you who miss Oliver Hartmann fronting anything remotely power or progressive metal he gains the chance to remind of his stellar pipes on “Dreams” as well as providing background vocals to build up large choir voices in many of the main choruses. The biggest surprise to me on this album would be the restraint shown in the power ballad “My Angel Is Gone” - a tear jerker inspired by the passing of Petrossi’s mother that in a previous generation would have rocketed up the charts.

What elevates Iron Mask above other neo-classical outfits is their ability to not stay stagnant in one particular mode: fast. Your best music needs dynamic proportion and individuals who understand you’ll get accolades and attention as long as the people consuming your music can retain songs.

Now I have to rectify a wrong and seek out the first two albums - in the meantime “Shadows of the Red Baron” will be tough to knock out of my instant thumbs up play list anytime soon.

www.iron-mask.com
www.lionmusic.com

Composed by Matt Coe