A band in name only, Brussels'
Iron Mask is really the brainchild of guitarist Dushan Petrossi, but despite recurring turnover in his supporting roles and frequent contributions from whichever gun-for-hire strikes Petrossi's fancy, 2011's
Black as Death sounds pretty cohesive from start to finish. As well it should, given this is
Iron Mask's fourth album of the decade and no amount of rotating musical chairs can upset the focus of Petrossi's neoclassical power metal vision -- not least while paying unabashed tribute to key inspiration
Yngwie Malmsteen. Yes, that is in fact one-time Rising Force singer Mark Boals (a man with the voice of an angel and the stage presence of a turnip) swapping microphones with latter-day successor Göran Edman, so it should surprise no one that the pomp metal nugget of a title cut, the turbo-charged "Feel the Fire," and the innocently direct "Rebel Kid" (yes, lyrics range all over the bloody map here) should sound like Trilogy updates for the new millennium. They all make for great, nostalgic ‘80s metal fodder, too, yet are not exactly bursting with surprises -- but then, who needs surprises when the unexpected faux-Mongolian lutes introducing "Genghis Khan" eventually give way to the dullest, most one-dimensional metal dirge imaginable? Better to stay closer to home with the necessary ballad "Magic Sky Requiem" or the classically inspired "God Punishes, I Kill," which belies its
Manowar-like title with expertly orchestrated band arrangements and backing choirs. Endlessly predictable ideas and occasional misfires (see the eye-rolling "Nosferatu") notwithstanding, though,
Black as Death makes for a continually enjoyable listen, by and large, all the way through to memorable closer, "Evil Strikes in Silence," and it certainly boasts more diversity than the average power metal release, come to think of. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia