Reviews

Iron Mask – “Diabolica”

Iron Mask – “Diabolica”

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 […]

Dweezil Zappa – It Can Happen Here

Dweezil Zappa – It Can Happen Here

Earlier last month, BackStage3660 had the opportunity to witness Dweezil Zappa’s newest tour celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his father’s classic album “FREAK OUT” . Having seen Dweezil play about ten years ago, I liked his own personal style but this newest tour was special because he would be playing his dad’s album “Freak Out” in […]

KAABOO Del Mar – Year II

KAABOO Del Mar – Year II

I’ve never been to a festival before KAABOO Del Mar’s non-festival ‘mixperience’ appeared in San Diego last year.   That decision has mainly been by choice, after the recounts and painful stories I’ve heard from friends who have travelled the distances.  Horror stories about the smell of porta-johns, carnival-style fried foods, and virtually nowhere to cool […]