The Belgian melodic power metal band IRON MASK is currently more active than ever before: after re-­releasing their 2010 album ‘Shadow Of The Red Baron’ and afterwards touring Europe with Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody in January 2016, the group around band leader Dushan Petrossi didn’t waste any time and directly started the pre­production phase for their new album.

The following months were used to record all instruments as well as vocals. Speaking of vocals: Diego Valdez (Helker) was  introduced as new voice of IRON MASK. The result of this new collaboration is here now: ‘Diabolica’ marks the band’s sixth album release and once again

guitarist/mastermind Dushan Petrossi was responsible for the entire songwriting. This 77­minute behemoth of an album combines neoclassical­inspired metal with an epic touch, reminiscent of Dio longtracks from the 80’s. Valdez shines throughout the whole record and proves to be the perfect choice for the vocal

spot, bringing the 12 great new songs to life. IRON MASK have never been more epic and powerful than on ‘Diabolica’. A look at the track listing provides an interesting fact.”I choose some historical figures, like Oliver Twist, Galileo and Doctor Faust,  to create a story background for the music I had composed. But there’s no overall concept really“, speaks Petrossi.  Mixing and mastering of ‚ ‘Diabolica’ was handled by Angelo E. Buccolieri (Wireworld Studios, Italien) together with Petrossi, while French cover artist Stan W. Decker provided the fitting optics.

After IRON MASK was founded as a project, things changed after the release of their debut ‘Revenge Is My Name’. It was a different kind of approach already for the band’s second release ‚ ‘Hordes Of The Brave’, which was followed by quite some live gigs. The third album ‘Shadow Of The Red Baron’ was issued (after a more than four years long break) in early 2010, but the band was returning with the clear intention of not letting their fans wait for another release that long again. So after signing with AFM Records, already in November 2011 ‘Black As Death’ was released. Exactly two years after, the

band followed up with ‘Fifth Son Of Winterdoom’. Subseqently, Petrossi became busy again with his other (also AFM­signed) band MAGIC KINGDOM, who released their ‘Savage Requiem’ album in 2015. Now the

grandiose ‘Diabolica’, an album which Petrossi was working on since two years, is IRON MASK’s newest and

impressive proof of work.

LISTEN TO A SAMPLE OF “DIABOLICA”

This is probably one of the best records that IRON MASK has ever recorded. Because Petrossi was responsible for all the songwriting, we are going to hear a mix of old school melodic power metal with some outstanding guitar, very tight musicianship and some powerful in-your-face performances that will make every fan of this genre extremely proud. The neo-classical and epic elements (the trademark of IRON MASK) are all included in ‘Diabolica’.

“I Don’t Forget, I Don’t Forgive”, the opener, is the first highlight from the new opus; hitting you hard and heavy with some tasteful guitar lines, a catchy chorus line puts the songs lyrics on your lips!  “Doctor Faust” is faster, with an early Yngwie Malmsteen feel to it, I love the way the vocals and guitar grab you due to the excellent music arrangement. “Galileo” comes in with an older Black Sabbath vibe. “Oliver Twist”, another great song, is a killer tune and could be described as Epic, melodic with a huge sound; this tune is pure power metal candy to your ears. Petrossi’s guitar is on fire and Diego Valdez sounds better than ever on this metal gem.  The songs keep pouring out like molten lava from a fresh Volcanic Explosion, like the song “March 666”. Are you ready for metal? If yes, then, check out “All for Metal” which reminded me of older DIO and Helloween. While listening to the self-title track “Diabolica” and most of the remaining songs you’ll be hit with the urge to break out the leather and bandanas. This is like getting a serious dose of 80’s metal injected into your blood stream.  What a wonderful feeling.

Power melodies, superb guitar work, excellent musicianship bring us a strong album with the classic metal sound of the 80’s. Throw in a bunch of serious power metal anthems and you have all the ingredients of “Diabolica“.

Album: “Diabolica”

Band: “Iron Mask”

Diabolica Track listing:

1. I Don’t Forget I Don’t Forgive
2. Doctor Faust
3. Galileo
4. Oliver Twist
5. March 666
6. All for Metal
7. The Rebellion of Lucifer
8. Diabolica
9. The First and The Last
10. Ararat
11. Flying Fortress
12. Cursed in the Devil’s Mill

Reviewed by: Storm@backstage360.com