Iron Knights (Formerly known as Stuka Squadron) - NEW STUFF!
Please note - since writing these reviews, the band have been forced to change their name - so are now known as Iron Knights. Apologies if there is any confusion.
We featured Stuka Squadron a while back, so when were put onto their new album, New Sound Of War, I was looking forward to checking out what they had on offer with this new beast. Having spent the last year playing across the UK and Europe, the guys are continuing to grow and develop their sound, already having a slot booked to play at Hammerfest V in 2013 and continuing to lure enthusiastic legions of fans to their cause. Seeing as we had been sent a copy of the new album, I figured I should probably check out what was on offer to make sure I wasn’t missing out on anything!
Jericho gets things going without any warning, immediately kicking into the signature Stuka Squadron style sound and luring you in to listen harder. Instantly harking back to the old school style of metal, this opening track sets the tone for the album, showing that the guys haven’t lost any of their power and have in fact, continued to develop their sound since the last time we checked them out. Catchy and powerful throughout, this track opens the album, sets the scene, and lets us know that this is going to be one hell of a journey! First Legion continues the progression with aplomb, once again harking back to the glory days of metal, sounding like something out of the NWOBHM yet managing to add in an updated sense, a sense of power and a feeling that there’s more here than meets the eye. Rolling drums, soaring lead lines from the guitar, pounding bass rhythms and those incredible vocals all combine to form a track which is catchy, heavy, well formed, and the sort of thing which is sure to ignite crowds on the live scene, certainly a track to make sure you check out.
Feeder Of Crows once again continues to push the bar for the album, this time slowing things down to a gentle gallop and showing that the guys are capable of altering their style when the moment requires it. The slowed down approach of this track seems to further accentuate the feeling of power which oozes out of the track, once again managing to show us that this is a band that understands their craft and can produce an album which sounds exactly as you’d expect, well formed, well produced, and well performed throughout. Tell Me Strange Things is further testament to this, once again harking more towards the NWOBHM style band and opening with a real sense of darkened, Iron Maiden-esque style riffs and beats. There’s something about this track which sets it apart from the rest of the album, it’s got an oddly disjointed feel to it which serves to stand it out, but also takes a couple of listens to fully embrace. I can’t put my finger on it but on first listen it just didn’t sound right, almost like the guys were trying something different in their approach, which as a result has worked in the end, it just takes a minute to sink in.
Immortals, The Path, Desert Fox and The Messenger all continue to push the boundaries of the album, not following convention but instead choosing to push your expectations, each track showing off a different approach from the band but letting you know throughout who it is you’re listening to. For me though, it was when Afterwrath came around that another serious high point was achieved on the album, combining the bass heavy rhythms which open the track with spoken vocals, pulling you in and focusing your attention on what you’re hearing, showing that there’s more to these guys than just hammering out anthemic tracks designed to get people moving, they’re also all about getting people to think. This track may not be a conventional track of sorts, but there’s something about it which really pulls the album together, hence my view that it’s a high point. The ability to contrast music with things like this is something which takes a lot of work, but something which Stuka Squadron seem to just do naturally.
It’s only then left to Bloodstorm to close off the record, finishing with another anthemic offering akin to the NWOBHM stuff and designed to get crowds involved once again, Powerful rolling riffs combine with those soaring vocal lines, forming into a sound which will get you up, get you moving and get you involved once again, finishing the album on a high and leaving no doubts that Stuka Squadron are continuing their powerful rampage across the world.
The first time we checked out Stuka Squadron I loved what I heard, but questioned the intro tracks which abounded throughout the album, on this album, there’s nothing like that and simply, we’ve got an album on our hands which does what it says it’s going to. From start to finish the guys have showcased the best of their abilities to create an album which is powerful, uplifting, distorted, and exciting. This is the album that is going to make people sit up and take note of Stuka Squadron – definitely one to make sure you check out.
To find out more about Stuka Squadron, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
We featured Stuka Squadron a while back, so when were put onto their new album, New Sound Of War, I was looking forward to checking out what they had on offer with this new beast. Having spent the last year playing across the UK and Europe, the guys are continuing to grow and develop their sound, already having a slot booked to play at Hammerfest V in 2013 and continuing to lure enthusiastic legions of fans to their cause. Seeing as we had been sent a copy of the new album, I figured I should probably check out what was on offer to make sure I wasn’t missing out on anything!
Jericho gets things going without any warning, immediately kicking into the signature Stuka Squadron style sound and luring you in to listen harder. Instantly harking back to the old school style of metal, this opening track sets the tone for the album, showing that the guys haven’t lost any of their power and have in fact, continued to develop their sound since the last time we checked them out. Catchy and powerful throughout, this track opens the album, sets the scene, and lets us know that this is going to be one hell of a journey! First Legion continues the progression with aplomb, once again harking back to the glory days of metal, sounding like something out of the NWOBHM yet managing to add in an updated sense, a sense of power and a feeling that there’s more here than meets the eye. Rolling drums, soaring lead lines from the guitar, pounding bass rhythms and those incredible vocals all combine to form a track which is catchy, heavy, well formed, and the sort of thing which is sure to ignite crowds on the live scene, certainly a track to make sure you check out.
Feeder Of Crows once again continues to push the bar for the album, this time slowing things down to a gentle gallop and showing that the guys are capable of altering their style when the moment requires it. The slowed down approach of this track seems to further accentuate the feeling of power which oozes out of the track, once again managing to show us that this is a band that understands their craft and can produce an album which sounds exactly as you’d expect, well formed, well produced, and well performed throughout. Tell Me Strange Things is further testament to this, once again harking more towards the NWOBHM style band and opening with a real sense of darkened, Iron Maiden-esque style riffs and beats. There’s something about this track which sets it apart from the rest of the album, it’s got an oddly disjointed feel to it which serves to stand it out, but also takes a couple of listens to fully embrace. I can’t put my finger on it but on first listen it just didn’t sound right, almost like the guys were trying something different in their approach, which as a result has worked in the end, it just takes a minute to sink in.
Immortals, The Path, Desert Fox and The Messenger all continue to push the boundaries of the album, not following convention but instead choosing to push your expectations, each track showing off a different approach from the band but letting you know throughout who it is you’re listening to. For me though, it was when Afterwrath came around that another serious high point was achieved on the album, combining the bass heavy rhythms which open the track with spoken vocals, pulling you in and focusing your attention on what you’re hearing, showing that there’s more to these guys than just hammering out anthemic tracks designed to get people moving, they’re also all about getting people to think. This track may not be a conventional track of sorts, but there’s something about it which really pulls the album together, hence my view that it’s a high point. The ability to contrast music with things like this is something which takes a lot of work, but something which Stuka Squadron seem to just do naturally.
It’s only then left to Bloodstorm to close off the record, finishing with another anthemic offering akin to the NWOBHM stuff and designed to get crowds involved once again, Powerful rolling riffs combine with those soaring vocal lines, forming into a sound which will get you up, get you moving and get you involved once again, finishing the album on a high and leaving no doubts that Stuka Squadron are continuing their powerful rampage across the world.
The first time we checked out Stuka Squadron I loved what I heard, but questioned the intro tracks which abounded throughout the album, on this album, there’s nothing like that and simply, we’ve got an album on our hands which does what it says it’s going to. From start to finish the guys have showcased the best of their abilities to create an album which is powerful, uplifting, distorted, and exciting. This is the album that is going to make people sit up and take note of Stuka Squadron – definitely one to make sure you check out.
To find out more about Stuka Squadron, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Iron Knights (formerly known as Stuka Squadron)
We recently got our hands on the debut album, Tales Of The Ost from London based Stuka Squadron to see what we thought. Cited as one of the leading acts in the ‘New wave of traditional metal’ by the likes of Classic Rock and Metal Hammer, this band seems to be on course to take over the world with their impressive stage show, props and sacrifices at every show. Due to release the album in February of this year, I figured it was only right I check out what’s on offer to see what I thought!
Opening with Into The Breach, immediately you’re greeted by a lowered voice to lead the way before ushering in a chunky guitar riff, the whole mix sounding dark and ominous. Throwing in some WWII sound effects to get things going properly, Winston Churchill and an air raid siren signal the true beginning of the track, a chunky funky mix of pounding drums, sludgy guitar lines and powerful vocal samples – it’s an experience for sure! Leading in to Tales Of The Ost, the true outlook of the band soon becomes apparent, taking the lead from the NWOBHM bands to craft a track full to the brim with soaring vocal lines and chunky guitar lines. Harking back to the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, this is music designed to show off the best of the world of metal, somehow sounding old skool yet with an updated vibe to proceedings. You’d be forgiven for thinking this band was from a bygone day, but the music works at the same time, somehow pulling all of those influences in and grabbing your attention to make you really listen, it’s a great start to the album for sure. Make sure you check out the chorus to this track, it’s got that anthem like feeling that you can imagine chanting along with the band on the live scene, and don’t even get me started on the guitar solo!
The Last Resort serves as an introduction next, full of dramatic strings to evoke an emotional response and adding in a spoken verse over the top, the mix builds the drama of the album and once again ensures you’re there and listening, almost empowering you to continue through. Finishing with ‘pray the squadron comes’ before launching into a melee of Stuka sound effects, Stuka Squadron is soon upon you. Opening with a German verse before throwing in a punchy guitar line over some ripping drums, this is another powerful track designed to get live crowds moving and singing. Chopping and changing through key changes, this is a far more complex track in its performance and is certainly one for the musicians out there, it’s got a feel to it that makes you want to play along. What’s really cool about the album so far is how each track tells a story, somehow creating a vision in your head of what they’re singing about. I also like the almost broken down section of this track where Stuka-Stuka-Stuka Squadron is chanted – something else to get live crowds going. Before long though we’re into A Cross Of Iron, another track of sound effects to lead into the next track, more chanted voices once again leading the way into On The Volga Bridge. This is another track full to the brim with soaring guitar lines, pounding drums and bass heavy rhythms backing up the soaring vocal line. This is music which does what it says on the tin, but does it well. The continuous theme between the tracks links the album fully and makes it seem something which you can connect with, it’s not so much an album but more a tale of history.
Moving straight into Tiger, a bass heavy rhythm greets you to underpin some more sound effects, this time creating a sound which you can really connect with, turning those speakers up to experience the full feeling. A lead line leads the way into another funk fuelled riff from the guitar, the drums slowed down to make this a far heavier and more powerful beast, yet somehow keeping the vocals old skool to keep that melodic edge firmly in place. Another catchy chorus is the key to this track and once again, you find yourself chanting along before launching yourself around the room to match the galloping pace, it’s a great track! Soon though, we’re into The Fall, another track full of sound effects to build into things. I don’t mind the constant return to sound effects and intro tracks, and out of all of them I would say this is quite possibly the most powerful and attention grabbing, but it seems to go on a bit after the first few. I understand why they’re there, and they work to empower everything, but at the same time it almost breaks up the continuity between tracks. Lovecraft on the other hand is another firm example of why these guys are going to be such a force to be reckoned with, and is probably my personal favourite track from the album. Heavy and powerful, this track is sludgier and more intense than before, making sure you’re loving every second of it by varying the guitar line and pounding away on the rhythm section of the band. The vocals are also much more gravelly here, forming something which is certainly a highlight from the album.
Zabulon’s Inferno comes in next and is quite simply an anthem of a track, lasting a total of 8:22 and throwing every single element of the band out at you throughout it. This track is another one which is clearly going to be a success on the live scene, the duelling guitars, powerful vocals and pounding drums are something which will simply destroy venues! I really like the progression through this track as well, it’s one which is going to grab you and force you to listen to every single second, not releasing its grip until the moment the track comes to an end. Lord of Valhalla is another short intro track, this time based around some Spanish style guitars and more sound effects, again leading the way into the next track, One Eyed God King. The track is once again dark and ominous from the second it opens, opening initially with thunder sound effects and a haunting synth before progressing into an acoustic line to add a sense of melody to proceedings. Not sticking to the clean approach for long, soon you’re thrown into another mix of roaring guitars and those awesome vocals, the mix once again suggesting awesome things from the live scene.
Closing the album with We Drink Blood, everything finishes on a high and leaves a real taste for these guys in your mouth. The track is another fast paced track fuelled by hammering guitar lines and pounding drums, the bass kept high in the mix once again to really make this one to play at an obscene volume. As a finishing track it seems to do just that, finishing fast and leaving you wanting more.
My one gripe with this album is the intro tracks which continually pop up between things, sure they work with the tracks but after a while you just want to be able to go from track to track without the spoken word. That said, the album as a whole works well and is one which I know I’ll be coming back to in the future. The music throughout is energetic and exciting, which is surely the over all aim behind making a record. This is a band who are going to show their true colours on the live scene I think, so certainly one to keep an eye out for on the live circuit!
To find out more about Stuka Squadron, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Opening with Into The Breach, immediately you’re greeted by a lowered voice to lead the way before ushering in a chunky guitar riff, the whole mix sounding dark and ominous. Throwing in some WWII sound effects to get things going properly, Winston Churchill and an air raid siren signal the true beginning of the track, a chunky funky mix of pounding drums, sludgy guitar lines and powerful vocal samples – it’s an experience for sure! Leading in to Tales Of The Ost, the true outlook of the band soon becomes apparent, taking the lead from the NWOBHM bands to craft a track full to the brim with soaring vocal lines and chunky guitar lines. Harking back to the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, this is music designed to show off the best of the world of metal, somehow sounding old skool yet with an updated vibe to proceedings. You’d be forgiven for thinking this band was from a bygone day, but the music works at the same time, somehow pulling all of those influences in and grabbing your attention to make you really listen, it’s a great start to the album for sure. Make sure you check out the chorus to this track, it’s got that anthem like feeling that you can imagine chanting along with the band on the live scene, and don’t even get me started on the guitar solo!
The Last Resort serves as an introduction next, full of dramatic strings to evoke an emotional response and adding in a spoken verse over the top, the mix builds the drama of the album and once again ensures you’re there and listening, almost empowering you to continue through. Finishing with ‘pray the squadron comes’ before launching into a melee of Stuka sound effects, Stuka Squadron is soon upon you. Opening with a German verse before throwing in a punchy guitar line over some ripping drums, this is another powerful track designed to get live crowds moving and singing. Chopping and changing through key changes, this is a far more complex track in its performance and is certainly one for the musicians out there, it’s got a feel to it that makes you want to play along. What’s really cool about the album so far is how each track tells a story, somehow creating a vision in your head of what they’re singing about. I also like the almost broken down section of this track where Stuka-Stuka-Stuka Squadron is chanted – something else to get live crowds going. Before long though we’re into A Cross Of Iron, another track of sound effects to lead into the next track, more chanted voices once again leading the way into On The Volga Bridge. This is another track full to the brim with soaring guitar lines, pounding drums and bass heavy rhythms backing up the soaring vocal line. This is music which does what it says on the tin, but does it well. The continuous theme between the tracks links the album fully and makes it seem something which you can connect with, it’s not so much an album but more a tale of history.
Moving straight into Tiger, a bass heavy rhythm greets you to underpin some more sound effects, this time creating a sound which you can really connect with, turning those speakers up to experience the full feeling. A lead line leads the way into another funk fuelled riff from the guitar, the drums slowed down to make this a far heavier and more powerful beast, yet somehow keeping the vocals old skool to keep that melodic edge firmly in place. Another catchy chorus is the key to this track and once again, you find yourself chanting along before launching yourself around the room to match the galloping pace, it’s a great track! Soon though, we’re into The Fall, another track full of sound effects to build into things. I don’t mind the constant return to sound effects and intro tracks, and out of all of them I would say this is quite possibly the most powerful and attention grabbing, but it seems to go on a bit after the first few. I understand why they’re there, and they work to empower everything, but at the same time it almost breaks up the continuity between tracks. Lovecraft on the other hand is another firm example of why these guys are going to be such a force to be reckoned with, and is probably my personal favourite track from the album. Heavy and powerful, this track is sludgier and more intense than before, making sure you’re loving every second of it by varying the guitar line and pounding away on the rhythm section of the band. The vocals are also much more gravelly here, forming something which is certainly a highlight from the album.
Zabulon’s Inferno comes in next and is quite simply an anthem of a track, lasting a total of 8:22 and throwing every single element of the band out at you throughout it. This track is another one which is clearly going to be a success on the live scene, the duelling guitars, powerful vocals and pounding drums are something which will simply destroy venues! I really like the progression through this track as well, it’s one which is going to grab you and force you to listen to every single second, not releasing its grip until the moment the track comes to an end. Lord of Valhalla is another short intro track, this time based around some Spanish style guitars and more sound effects, again leading the way into the next track, One Eyed God King. The track is once again dark and ominous from the second it opens, opening initially with thunder sound effects and a haunting synth before progressing into an acoustic line to add a sense of melody to proceedings. Not sticking to the clean approach for long, soon you’re thrown into another mix of roaring guitars and those awesome vocals, the mix once again suggesting awesome things from the live scene.
Closing the album with We Drink Blood, everything finishes on a high and leaves a real taste for these guys in your mouth. The track is another fast paced track fuelled by hammering guitar lines and pounding drums, the bass kept high in the mix once again to really make this one to play at an obscene volume. As a finishing track it seems to do just that, finishing fast and leaving you wanting more.
My one gripe with this album is the intro tracks which continually pop up between things, sure they work with the tracks but after a while you just want to be able to go from track to track without the spoken word. That said, the album as a whole works well and is one which I know I’ll be coming back to in the future. The music throughout is energetic and exciting, which is surely the over all aim behind making a record. This is a band who are going to show their true colours on the live scene I think, so certainly one to keep an eye out for on the live circuit!
To find out more about Stuka Squadron, check out their Facebook page HERE.
