Swedish band IRON LAMB first appeared back in 2009, as a side venture for musicians in other bands from what I understand, and following three EPs released in fairly quick succession they released their debut album “The Original Sin” in 2011. “Fool’s Gold” is their second full length studio album, and was released through German label High Roller Records at the start of 2015.
I understand that this band originally built a reputation as something of a Motorhead-sounding venture, a band that explored fairly similar musical landscapes to what Lemmy and his various henchmen built a career and a legend status around. But that they would also occasionally take a left turn into musical territories of a slightly different character altogether. Much the same can be said about this album, albeit with a few more left turns this time around.
The likely sources of inspiration for this band are all of the kind that dates back in time a bit. The original 50’s rock and roll obviously, avid listeners will hear a rather rockabilly tinged piano motif making occasional appearances here and there throughout. Garage rock has been a factor in the creation of these compositions too, as has, possibly, the good, old power trio constellations giving the good, old blues a serious kick up the backside. I kind of guess that the band knows their Led Zeppelin fairly well to, and that they aren’t unaware of some classic psychedelic hard rock albums either, as the end sequence on final cut Deadend Blues on this CD might indicate. Oh, and punk rock needs to be mentioned as well, obviously.
These possible inspirations, probably alongside tons of stuff that also should have been mentioned, have solidified into what is a surprisingly versatile album. Just about half of the tracks is of a kind and nature that should satisfy those who crave a dose of new, Motorhead sounding material though. Well made at that too I should add, with the opening 4 cuts and the brief, effective Center of the Universe the compositions I’ll sort in under this context. This isn’t a band attempting to clone Lemmy & company though, they do add their own bits and pieces to the proceedings. The end guitar solo on aforementioned Center of the Universe as good as an example as anything, one which at least to my mind has a fairly strong Iron Maiden feel to it.
As for the rest of the songs, with one exception they all have that slight feeling of punk and/or Motorhead included as well, but explored in rather different manners. The underlying blues details appear stronger, the connections to 70’s hard rock more firm, and the pace and intensity is turned a few notches down while instrument details are given more space. At times giving me a subtle Led Zeppelin association, at others perhaps closer to the likes of Turbonegro. The sole exception, Leave Me Be, is a piece that takes a sharp left turn out of most of these landscapes however, with dark toned, more emotional lead vocals and a general feel that to my mind at least was closer to the material Norwegian band Madrugada explored on their debut album from way back when.
The dominating aspects of this production is still tight, intense and fairly aggressive material in a punk-tinged, Motorhead kind of way though, so the key audience for this album will need to enjoy this kind of material. If they do so, and also have a soft spot for 70’s hard rock in general, I’d say chances are good for this CD to be found interesting and worthwhile.
My rating: 80/100
