Ironmaster – Weapons of Spiritual Carnage
Release Date: 28th April 2023
Label: Black Lion Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Dark Funeral, Carnage, Vader, Swedish Death Metal.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Weapons of Spiritual Carnage is the 2nd album by Swedish trio, Ironmaster. Featuring stalwarts of the metal scene in Sweden, Ironmaster include Jonas Kjellgren (Guitar), Roberth Karlsson (Vocals) and Janne Jaloma (Drums), 3 very experienced Metalheads in various bands in the genre.
This is fairly important, as WoSC is a very good album, where the experience of the band members shines through like a dark beacon. Every aspect of this album appears to be carefully thought out, without it appearing overly clinical. It is under 38 minutes long. The 10 tracks never outstay their welcome, and only 1 is over 5 minutes long. The placement of each of the songs makes sense as well, giving a great deal of variation whilst bludgeoning riffs attempt to rearrange the bone structure in your skull.
It is the variety of music on offer that sets this album apart from some of its modern peers. Kjellgren’s technical shredding accompanies hints of progressive metal riffs, all the while Karlsson rips at his vocal cords and Jaloma batters his drums with uneasy aggression. It all melds together into a joyous headbanging colossus.
As soon as the opening track, ‘Solemn Pestilence’ attacks your aural senses, you will be invested in WoSC. Each track reinforces this investment, the title track of the album, ‘Weapons of Spiritual Carnage’ is another stand-out track, clattering along like a racehorse that has unseated its rider, but wants to stay the course. When the closing track, ‘Dismantling Eternity’ begins to reach its conclusion, you should not be surprised if you are toggling the repeat button to spend another 38 minutes with Ironmaster.
In a year where we are being assaulted with well written, high quality albums, Ironmaster have staked their claim for your hard-earned cash in releasing an album that may feature on more than a few end of year lists. WoSC is an essential listen.
(4.5 / 5)
