Swedish band IRONBIRD is a fairly new band in the scene, and was formed by guitarist Magnus Jernström when he decided to record material he had written over the span of some years I understand, and when some friends got involved in the recording of those the end result became a new band. “Black Mountain” is their debut album, and was released through Swedish label Transubstans Records in the fall of 2014.
Ironbird explicitly states that their style of music is one based on retro and vintage rock, and when the album is released on Transubstans it’s not all that unexpected that Black Sabbath will be given a nod or three when the general style of the album is to be pinpointed. There is a bit more to this band than a mere vintage doom metal expression however, and a bit more than an added element of psychedelic rock as well.
We may as well start with the ballads. Those are, by and large, the least effective items on this album as far as I’m concerned, mainly due to vocalist Rasmus Jansson not quite having an effective voice for such excursions. They are pleasant enough though, in a gentle southern rock kind of way, and if you ever needed a companion track to Bon Jovi’s Wanted (Dead or Alive), Ironbird’s Tomorrow’s Dream will fill that slot quite nicely indeed.
Subtle southern rock tendencies, often paired off with psychedelic guitar and vocal details, are distinct presences on the greater amount of the other tracks on this CD. The main bass and guitar sound is one that nods back to Tony Iommi, but form and execution is more often than not closer to what a band like Soundgarden crafted back in the 1990’s, and when combined with subtle southern rock undertones and psychedelic flavoring the end result doesn’t really sound exactly like anything else that has made a name for itself, at least that I have come across in the vast jungle of music released these days. Compelling songs, suitably hard hitting and with strong tension throughout. And while vocalist Jansson sounds a bit strained when doing ballads, he’s perfectly and right at home when Ironbird focus on the heavier and harder edged material I would say.
Still, Ironbird’s finest moment is when they go full out Black Sabbath style on title track Black Mountain. This is a piece of music that wouldn’t have been out of place on any of the classic Black Sabbath albums, in terms of style but also in terms of quality. One of the better vintage doom metal creations I have come across in some time this one, a clear album highlight and a track that needs to be given a spin by anyone with an affection for vintage era Black Sabbath. A brilliant slab of music.
All in all a quality debut album by a quality band that manage to combine some of the best aspects of vintage doom metal Black Sabbath style with psychedelic elements, a few touches of grunge and with some nifty undertones of the kind I at least associate mainly with southern rock. Those who have a just about equal passion for vintage era Black Sabbath and a band like Soundgarden should be something of a perfect audience for this CD in my book, and it comes recommended to those who who can recognize themselves in such a description.
My rating: 80/100
