834. Iron Savior / Megatropolis. 2007. 3.5/5

Iron Savior have been somewhat of a measuring stick in regards to power metal in the European union over the past 15 to 20 years. While other bands of the genre seem to have their highs and lows in regards to output and the quality of the material they release, Iron Savior has been remarkably consistent throughout. It would probably be a step too far to suggest that they have released some timeless, unforgettable albums, but in almost every regard each album they have released has been of a high quality and wonderfully enjoyable. On Megatropolis perhaps that has slipped just a little, but that doesn't mean it also is not a very good album.

What I like about Iron Savior's music is that it is always upbeat, and rarely gets bogged down in slower numbers that can really kill the momentum of an album. Once again it starts off in a typically pacey manner, fuelled by Piet Sielck's vocal chords and typical guitar riff, along with the rumbling bass guitar on the bottom end and double kick keeping everything together and constrained. "Running Riot" has all of those qualities which mark an atypical Iron Savior start. This is followed by "The Omega Man" which has always been one of my favourites off the album. It has a great riff, a great feel, and Piet moves his way up the vocal scale during the song which increases and enhances the mood of the song as it is required. "Flesh" actually comes across as a very unusual song for this band, but it is surprisingly effective. It is of a slower, heavier tempo with a very un-power metal riff. It is much closer to traditional metal song than that. "Megatropolis" returns us back to the fast paced riffing and drumming that the band is renown for, with great harmony guitars through the middle of the song as well as resplendent with individual solos.
The middle four songs are good solid songs without being outstanding in any respect. "Cybernetic Queen" and "Cyber Hero" both play along with a pleasing beat and nice harmony vocals from Piet. "A Tale From Down Below" and "I Still Believe" both offer mid-tempo ranges throughout. The album finishes with a flourish, and the show closing number "Farewell and Good Bye" feels like the last number of a musical, ending the show on an upward inflection of the final act closes and the curtain falls. I think it is a great song to close out the album, full of lament and emotion from the central character of the song. Excellent stuff.

Megatropolis probably doesn't ring my bells as much as previous albums did, but having said that there are some terrific songs on here, highlighted by the two opening tracks and the final song. Newcomers to this band would probably listen to this album and suggest that it is really all very straight forward without being spectacular. I don't think that opinion is very far off the mark, but it is what fans of the band can squeeze from behind these first observations that make it rank above the average in those respects.

Rating:  'Cause after all I'm just a man, with a broken dream, not man and not machine.  3.5/5