Review: Iron Slaught "Metallic Torments"

Release date: 10.07.2026

Label: Cruz Del Sur Music

7–10 minutes

The Nwothm

Gates Of Hell unleashes the long‑awaited second full‑length strike from French heavy and speed metal tyrants IRON SLAUGHT.

More than a decade after their debut, IRON SLAUGHT return with a new chapter of ferocity: a record forged in the most extreme edges of heavy and speed metal, pulsing with raw adrenaline and the kind of old‑school fire that surges straight through the veins. This is metal built to overwhelm, to consume, and to deliver “total metallic torment”.

Formed in 2011 in Bigorra in the south‑west of France, the band carved their identity through a fierce blend of speed and thrash, sharpened by death and black metal influences yet anchored firmly in traditional heavy metal. Their devotion to the underground runs deep, and IRON SLAUGHT channel that conviction into songwriting that is epic, direct, atmospheric and unmistakably sincere.

With 11 years separating this new album from their first LP, and 8 since their split release with Tentation, “Metallic Torments” arrives as a long‑anticipated offering for those who have followed the band from the shadows. Conceived as a series of individual “Metallic Torments”, each track unfolds its own grim tale: obsession, vengeance, witchcraft, medieval warfare and unwavering devotion to metal itself.

Across the record, razor‑edged guitars and weighty bass lines collide with programmed yet punishing drums to conjure a storm of arcane metal energy. IRON SLAUGHT draw from the strongest eras of the genre’s history, weaving soaring leads, intricate riffs and a balance of grandeur and violence that grips from the first strike to the final blow. Their sound channels thrashing aggression, blackened atmosphere and death‑tinged fury while keeping the molten heart of pure heavy metal burning bright. This is music for the diehards, the lifers, the truest of the true.

“Metallic Torments” engraved and immortalised by Sir Stéphane Hellkine, Bigorra 2025. Aggressive logo and bloody lyrics by Steel Converter (except “Condamné pour l’Éternité” and “Primal Conquest” by Iron Jérémy). Spellbinding front cover art by Mario Lopez.

Review

1. Harbinger Of Afflictions is the opening song on the record and is surprisingly an instrumental! But in the three minutes playtime it has it really does pack a punch. You have tearing intricate rhythms, the melodic harmonies, the moments where the springy bass cuts through the mix and all pedal to the metal you could want. There is plenty of double kick action and singing guitar ideas to tantalise the tastebuds all while building up towards the end.

2. Ghastly Obsession feels like someone drove a splint into the back of your neck. Why? Because by the time you are finished with this song your neck will be sore! So turn it up to eleven and get ready fro some face melting speed metal. There are some blast beats which i did not expect and of course terrifying rhythm guitars that will shred the skin of your bones. Thrashing drums are plentiful and if you are the type of person who likes a good pit then you will be in for a treat! Iron Jérémy delivers an absolute beast of a vocal performance sounding like a hungry wolf! Killer

3. The Executioner brings some bounce to the mix with skipping drum ideas and wailing guitar leads that feel like a bomb about to go off. The tone of the song feels pretty dark and evil, like your being dragged through the underworld. Just like Ghastly obsession this song is build on pure adrenaline and fire keeping the speed and sweat coming. It does have some slower moments where things cut back to let the solo work and some more emotions shine through but that speed soon picks back up for another blast in your face. So get ready to be plunged into darkness!

4. Soldier Of Fortune starts with some acoustic guitars drenched in some nice effects before twin leads come in singing passionately. Slow and steady to ease you in before the heavy metal comes flying in. The guitar work storms through and the vocals here feel more tame then say Ghastly Obsession. And I love the fact that Iron Jérémy brings that balance without breaking through your eardrums. This is certainly more of a slab of tasty heavy metal then the more uptempo and crazy speed metal tracks that came before. Everything here feels tight and in synch. The bass smashes through and the guitar licks are excellent scaling up and down at the end of phrases bringing something interesting to the mix. SO get ready to pump those fists in the air and have a grand old time!

5. The rain pours and the bells chime in Condamné pour l’Éternité. We transition into what feels like a mighty shrouded temple of the gods. Colossal deep choir vocals and a repeating guitar line capture your attention briefly before you are thrown into the madness. The dirt gets kicked up once again when we return to the pit for more thrashing insanity. The attitude and menace return in the pummelling bass and drum lines, and quick picking guitar work. The energy never fades and considering this is another fast and furious song even the brighter moments do not loose there spark.The solo spirals and spits notes like fireworks. One thing I do love are the stop starts, the transitions between ideas helping to keep the song interesting and never boring. There are even some vocal moments where they feel like flame thrower in the way they are performed!

6. Charme Funeste creeps in through the angelic atmosphere soon landing on some slow swaying acoustic guitars! Taking a step back from all the speeding action it is a welcome break from all the intensity. The vocals here are bright and uplifting fusing perfectly with the moving acoustic notes. It lasts for the first few minutes of the song before the electricity switch is thrown on and the guitars soon fire up. From here it picks up the pace and plays between shredding heavy metal guitars and more acoustic goodness. It is also important to note the the vocal work remains warm and bright and never steps into the styles of what a have come before. However the heavy metal launches a full scale attack for the solo section giving everything it has got before dropping back a little towards the end. A very balanced song and a great addition to an already varied album.

7. Join the ground war with Primal Conquest! The sound of blades clashing first hit your ears before the song goes full charge. I have to say I had this song turned up and it made my speakers rumble. This has thunderous double kick drumming and throaty vocals that come at you like an axe. Woven in with that are some beautiful guitar harmonies in all the right spots. It has that right mix of speed and heavy metal fury. There are some moments that feel heroic yet also fierce! Either way your going to be headbanging and throwing some fists in the air getting locked in with the music. Just like songs before the solo work is top notch and sizzles perfectly on top of the rhythms. Interestingly it switches things up a bit towards the end minutes throwing in some blasts and even more sizzling guitar work. The smoke and heat are certainly present!

8. Finally we land on Fatal Retaliations and the longest track on the record! It goes easy on you to begin with, my returning with some delicate melodies that sooth the ears. The guitar harmonies come in swaying and dancing about like a loving waltz. A nice breather before we jump back into the action. Like most tracks before get full on power and aggression. The vocal work I have to say has been excellent on the album and Iron Jérémy’s ability to switch between styles has been refreshing. Fatal Retaliations returns with that harder approach full of force and might on the vocals. The guitars and bass work drive the track forward with ease and have enough chops and changes to delight listeners. And then when we hit the five minute mark or so the music peels back once again to acoustics, gentle rhythms and softer brighter vocals. It almost feels like a workout going through different levels of intensity, breaking a sweat one minute and then cooling it down for another. And to make things even more interesting a female voice joins in to add an extra layer of magic to the mix to take the song towards the end. Some slightly uneasy notes and jittery vibes seal the song to conclude the album.

Conclusion

The journey across this record feels like being dragged through fire, lifted into the light, and thrown back into the fray again. Across eight tracks the band prove they can do far more than simply play fast or hit hard. They carve out a world built on adrenaline, menace, melody, and unexpected emotional depth. The speed metal cuts hit with ferocity, the heavy metal moments land with conviction, and the acoustic passages add colour rather than calm. Iron Jérémy’s vocal range becomes the anchor through all of it, shifting from snarling aggression to bright, heartfelt delivery without ever losing character. What stands out most is how confidently the band move between ideas: the blasts, the harmonies, the stop‑starts, the shifts in intensity, the way each track feels like its own battle yet still part of the same war. By the time Fatal Retaliations closes the curtain, you’re left with an album that is varied, relentless, and crafted with real intent. A record built to be felt as much as heard.