RSS Feed


IRON KOBRA
Eternal Dagger

Dying Victims Productions (2026)
Rating: 8/10

These German metallers have been floating around the scene since 2008 and this is their third full-length opus. It’s been 11 years since their last album, Might & Magic, but the line-up has remained relatively stable with the exception of lead guitarist Steffen (aka Steffen Russel) who was recruited in 2022, and joins original members Ela (aka Sir Serpent, vocals and guitar) and Matze (aka Don “The Warrior” Viper, bass), plus drummer Björn (aka Cimmerian Condor, drums) who joined in 2016.

For this latest album the quartet sticks to its core element, that being driving heavy metal awash with infectious hooks and steely designs. The combo tends not to veer towards the unorthodox, but there are some interesting structures within what initially appears to be a standard retro metal framework.

After several spins I became extremely engrossed by Eternal Dagger, a record which provides sprightly mixes of early New Wave Of British Heavy Metal and the molten heroic metal of, say, Brocas Helm. You’ll also hear dashes of Judas Priest-like speed metal and streaks of early Iron Maiden, so although the clan lack an identity as such, they still produce the rockin’ goods.

‘Silver Strings And Iron Wings’ is a sublime restyling of early Maiden, and lashings of speed metal are spat out on the excellent ‘Unchained & Untamed’. The listener really does feel the soul and fire of this opus; the rhythms are tight, the production is clean yet without unnecessary gloss and there’s a warm familiarity to each every tale. Glimmers of Angel Witch fuse with Saxon-esque rattles, Iron Kobra find a nostalgic balance with their armoury without resorting to overwhelming cliché.

Amongst the multitudes of bands firing out similar throwback metal, Iron Kobra is one of the most convincing as ‘Forbidden Fruits’ charges from the traps with an off-kilter punk energy, and the same can also be said for the brisk burn of ‘Treacherous Tyrant’. The axe work throughout is to be admired, and there’s just a refreshing energy and vigour about such sword and sorcery themes.

Closer ‘Mountains Of Madness’ is a grandiose slab of epic metal, sizzling at its contours with each razor riff as Manowar fuses successfully with Cirith Ungol. But drop the needle on any segment of this nine track outing and succumb to the fiery lead work and myriad of influences, all wrapped up warmly in the artwork of Mario Lopez. From its icy peaks, down to its humid valleys, Eternal Dagger is a compelling and honest record for intrepid adventurers everywhere.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share