Being a person looking at half a century on Earth, the bulk of that time I have been an unabashed lover and defender of heavy metal. The roots, to me, always will be the biggest part of that passion, and my first sub-genre of obsession was power metal. Maiden, Helloween, Priest, and Queensrÿche were gospel to me, and actually, they still are.

Long-running power revivalists Ironflame have been at it for almost a decade now, and they have paid homage to those classic sounds. Their great fifth record “Kingdom Torn Asunder” is upon us, and if you have that hunger for this style, prepare to be overfed. In a good way. Oddly enough, this record was written and recorded before their 2022 album “Where Madness Dwells,” so it’s both a continuation and a look back, in a way. But it is chock full of incredibly catch power metal that is the calling card of this band—vocalist Andrew D’Cagna (Icarus Witch, Nechochwen), guitarist/vocalist Quinn Lukas, guitarist Jesse Scott, bassist James Babcock, drummer Noah Skiba—and if you also happen to be a fan of fantasy storytelling and the best of classic metal tropes, then you’re right at home alongside me.

“Blood and Honor” is a rousing opener with a flurry of guitars, D’Cagna’s soaring voice, and crushing energy filling your veins. Strong soloing floods over as the pace stampedes, references to Valkyrie and her love of battle pump, vowing for revenge for the father’s death as the track slams shut. “Soul Survivors” is on fire out of the gates, thrashing and driving, the power metal passion palpable. “This destiny awaits us,” D’Cagna calls over the punchy chorus, the guitars taking on a folkish bend even though they’re electrified as hell, lapping with waves of devastation. “Majesty of Steel” feels like it was inspired by “Lock Up the Wolves” era Dio as this track is about driving fast in an old, classic car, D’Cagna declaring, “You’re the beast behind the wheel.” The tempo charges as the guitars bubble with glory, the chorus rushing back before the final moments leave tire burns. “Mistress of Desire” has a strong start, churning as the singing explodes, D’Cagna pushing his voice even higher on the chorus. Guitars take control as D’Cagna wails, “Her blackened wings will take you higher,” as the band chugs and lands a few more savage blows.

“Standing Tall” shows more aggression, the guitars working into a lather, the double-kick drums pulverizing your chest. The warning to prepare for war is in the air, guitars engulfing and increasing the temperature, the bravado overflowing as D’Cagna declares, “On us you can depend.” “Sword of a Thousand Truths” is crunchy, but the pace pulls back a bit, more of a mid-tempo, but still heavy piece that chews muscle. Warmer guitars lather as D’Cagna calls, “Hear the screams of 1,000 men dying to be free again,” landing as the fuel scars and leaves exhaust behind. “Riding the Dragons” again reminds of Dio, which will draw no complaints. The urgency to join the battle is apparent, and the punchy verses lead to a chorus that makes your blood race. There’s a classic metal feel to a lot of this, and the soloing reminds me of the early days of power metal, finally settling into ash. On the vinyl version, “Shadow of the Reaper” is your finisher, stomping prone bodies, the guitars racing as the singing feels a bit more restrained. “It’s time to close your eyes and let yourself go,” D’Cagna prods as you’re deeply immersed, guitars taking final control, lathering and leaving burn marks. “Cold Flesh Falls”  is the first of two CD bonus tracks, and it feels like it could belong with anything on the first eight songs, but “Exile of the Sun” is something different. With its slow, mystical aura, it actually would serve as a nice change of pace in the middle of the LP version, and it’s an elegant, classic power metal dose of emotion.

Ironflame always will have a soft spot with this power metal, um, kid, and “Kingdom Torn Asunder” is a perfect serving of what this band does best. Power metal has taken a back seat to death, doom, and black metal, but it is anything but a dead concept, as this band proves yet again on this rousing display. This is heavy metal at its finest, in its most original form, and for someone like me who has spent more than three decades indulging in these sounds, it reminds me why I feel in love with this stuff in the first place.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/IronflameUSA/

To buy the album, go here: https://www.hrrecords.de/HRR-RELEASES

For more on the label, go here: https://www.hrrecords.de/