Iron Echo – Forged In Fire

Iron Echo
Forged In Fire
Label: Metalapolis Records
Out: June 27^th, 2025 (digital/CD self-release: October 11^th, 2024)
Playing time: 39:47

This story repeats itself again and again. A young band releases its debut album digitally and on its own initiative. And self-pressed albums are sold successfully at concerts. Then a record label takes notice and signs the band. The album is re-released and distributed worldwide. This is what happened with ‘Forged In Fire’ by Iron Echo from Heilbronn. The band was only founded in 2022 by experienced musicians. The list of previous bands reads like a who’s who of German Metal bands. In June, the album will be released again on Metalapolis Records.

Does an intro like ‘The Blacksmith Tales’ really have to be, sound gimmicks, distorted spoken words, a few epic choruses. Well, at least a short bombastic orchestral passage. Would be dispensable from my point of view. But then things really get going with ‘Ready To Rumble’. Less or no bombast, but Melodic Power Metal instead. Johnny Vox’s high-pitched voice is a perfect match. Need I mention that this sound also includes a melodic guitar solo in which the two guitarists throw the ball at each other? And Iron Echo pick up even more speed on ‘Death Dealer’. Riffs every second and driving drums, sometimes with real double bass attacks. Still melodic, with a refrain to sing along to. And even if it’s not in the line-up list, Mr Vox is obviously supported by his band mates on the choruses. ‘Last Man Standing’ keeps the tempo high. Once again, Johnny Vox occasionally sings in the higher range. Otherwise, his powerful Rock voice can be heard. The Power Metal anthem ‘Sinner’ is characterised by guitar riffs and slightly raspy vocals in places. Here, too, the refrain is certainly easy to sing along to. Once again, a twin guitar solo crowns the song. Back to high speed. ‘Streets On Fire’ alternates between riffs and Speed Metal quotes. Powerful mid-tempo riffs can be heard on ‘The Awakening’. And again, very good choir vocals. With ‘Downfall’, the band returns to the high-speed range, introducing screams and the singer is driven by the double bass and fast riffs. Even at the end, Iron Echo don’t give themselves and the listeners a breather. ‘Seven Sins’ is also a real blast. But without leaving the melodic area.

Is it new, what Iron Echo are offering here? Not at all. But they present Melodic Power Metal with flying colours. In addition to regular speed attacks, the album always remains highly melodic. The musicians clearly show that they know their craft. Of course, singer Johnny Vox shines in particular with a powerful and versatile voice. But the guitarists also show their skills in the many solos. The drums are booming, and the bass provides a proper low-frequency sound. It’s good that Metalapolis Records is making this work accessible to a wider public.

Iron Echo – Last Man Standing (Official Audio): https://youtu.be/GVf9HnJZ_Ig?si=zvjSOlW3tEfgBQY_

Lineup:

Johnny Vox (aka Franz Neumann) – Gesang
Timo (aka Timo Pfluger) – Gitarre
ZotteL (aka Hasan Biberci) – Gitarre
Lois (aka Lois Liotakis) – Bass
BJ (aka Björn-Philipp Hessemüller) – Schlagzeug

Track list:

• The Blacksmith Tales
• Ready To Rumble
• Death Dealer
• Last Man Standing
• Sinner
• Streets On Fire
• The Awakening
• Downfall
• Seven Sins