Album Review: Urn - Iron Will of Power
Reviewed by Robbie Maguire
It is indeed exciting times to be a metal fan at present. Never have we had it so easy in terms of accessing new bands. Nor have we had the sheer depth and variety of bands to choose from to feed our hunger for new music. In our quest for new stuff to quench our metal thirst, some bands may pass us by while others we may be aware of but never got round to checking out. It is therefore very possible that we may never get to hear what could just be our favourite metal band. Urn are a band who have passed me by despite forming in Finland in 1993 and releasing their first album in 2001. Their latest, 'Iron Will of Power' sees a band extremely comfortable marching confidently down the blackened death thrash route.
The ferocious assault of opener 'Downfall of Idols' sees Urn making their intentions very clear early on. A sonic barrage of death like riffing and black metal blast-beats provide the adrenaline rush that you'd want from an extreme metal album. One that straddles the black and death metal genres with ease but which also has generous doses of old school NWOBHM. If your head isn't banging by the time the pummeling track two, 'Malignant Strange Vision', kicks in then you might as well stop listening. Simply because the rest of the album very much follows the same theme and style.
It doesn't veer very far from this blackened path at all. A style that is executed however with technical brilliance by each of the musicians. They create a sound that does its own thing yet nods respectfully to those they take their inspiration from. You can clearly hear those influences all over the album and are able to really pick them out due to the fantastic production. If someone were to describe an album as sounding 'huge' then this would be how it sounds. A strong dominant sounding album with a deliciously meaty drum sound. Aggressive yet refined and glorious hooks pop up all over the place.
'Prayers' maintains the ferocity and pushes the relentless steamrolling guitars and rhythm section onward until the respite and calmness of enchanting instrumental 'Gates to Hyboria'. The commanding presence of 'Demonlord' follows. Its marauding riffs making way for a brutal blackened thrash assault scattered with joyous NWOBHM references. The vocals puff with a menacing heir of evil spitting out tales fantasy, darkness and the realms of the other-worlds.
For all its snarling, beastly aggression, 'Iron Will Of Power' is surprisingly not messy, chaotic or over complicated. It is technical, expertly played and with passion in abundance but... Unfortunately there is a but and its that the album begins to lose momentum. Despite the continuing dizzying lead guitars and solid riffing the final third just doesn't grab the attention as much as it should or could. Its not that its too long, it may be it is too top heavy and Urn really spoil you with the early numbers on the album.
It may not be revolutionary but what Urn do, they do very well. On the strength of this album, at least the first two thirds, I will check out some of their back catalogue. Do yourself a favour and give 'Iron Will Of Power' a few listens as well. Urn could just become a favourite new metal band for you or at least a welcome discovery.
Urn's album 'Iron Will of Power' is released on September 20th via Season of Mist.
