BLOOD and IRON are renowned as one of India’s earlier metal bands to delve into the sub-genres of symphonic and later, pristine old school heavy metal. The shift of genres can be attributed to a plethora of changes in the line-up that has left only founding guitarist Ashish Shetty as the lone constant ever since the band’s inception in 2005. Following a couple of studio releases, the titular ‘Blood and Iron‘ and ‘Dynamite World‘, Blood and Iron are back with a third one ‘Voices of Eternity‘ and one can surely put their finger on the way it has turned out!
‘Voices of Eternity‘ is a 9-track album that pushes the 50-minute mark, which seems a tad lengthy upon an initial hear-through. Once the listener keeps looping the tracks on a playlist over time, the music gets addictive. The pacey tempo, the beautiful melodic solos and the sweet riffing, not to mention a plethora of guest artists featuring on vocals are all that contribute to the soul of the album, that which crushes ours as the drums pound into our ears.
Coming to the tracklisting, the naming of all 9 tracks portray a common theme-that of voices that scream out for a cause, one that ranges over a variety of emotions from indecision to philosophy as to how hope is key to many things in life turning out the way one wants them to. The above is highlighted in the tracks ‘Your Own Voice‘ and ‘Path Not Taken‘. Not many can grasp the wordings on the first go but those who will be besotted with the meaningful songwriting, something that isn’t all that common amongst metal bands per se. Blood and Iron do not fail to disappoint those looking to headbang to some crunchy rebellious tunes either, with all songs thoroughly headbang-worthy, a special mention of ‘Ascendant‘ and ‘Underground Rebellion‘ in the context.
Musically, Blood and Iron have compromised zilch. Roping in the expertise of Dragonsclaw vocalist Giles Lavery and Albatross bassist Riju Dasgupta, they have churned out a thrash beauty in the form of ‘Voice of Eternity’. Guitaring by Ashish Shetty and Vikram Bains are note-perfect, complimenting which is the marvelous drumming by Praveen Kumar. Blood and Iron sure have struck gold with this one, and feedback and responses are to be keenly observed. An excellent effort from the old-timers that should spur up a few oppurtunities.
Rating – 7.5/10
Blood & Iron have been around since 2006. although theres been changes in the lineup – Ashish Shetty, Vikram Bains and Praveen have been a part of the group over the last 7 years. My personal fav album was the self-titled “Blood and Iron” – given that it was a concept/story-telling album.
I was slightly disappointed with the “Dynamite world” album as it was very symphonic metal.
However, having heard a couple of songs from the new album “Voices Of Eternity”, I am absolutely brought back to the core reason i started to listen to music altogether. An epic escape and unison with what those songs entail…