Hidden Gems & Guilty Pleasures: Iron Curtain (Spain)
Photo credits: Sergio Albert
Iron Curtain (Heavy/Speed Metal // Spain)
For nearly 20 years now, Spanish metal inquisition Iron Curtain have been stalwart defenders of the faith. With a discography that includes four full-lengths and twice as many EPs, splits, and demos, Iron Curtain’s ever-sturdy sound was forged in the fires of the early ‘80s: largely nodding to the eternal Motörhead as well as Tank, but also Canadian gods like Exciter and Razor, to the Teutonic might of early Iron Angel and Grave Digger, to Scandinavian gods OZ and Heavy Load, to cult American icons Abattoir and Savage Grace, and the shores of Britannia with the likes of Diamond Head, Raven, and Girlschool. And with the Dying Victims Productions release of career highpoint »Danger Zone« in 2019, that sound’s become even more rocking than ever.
After a quick-hitting mini-album (again through Dying Victims) titled »Metal Gladiator« whereby the band presented the new alongside re-recordings of the old, Iron Curtain returned to assume their throne with »Savage Dawn«. Doubtlessly (and vividly!) displayed by its photographic cover art courtesy of Daniel Rabandan, »Savage Dawn« is indeed a new dawn for Iron Curtain: a concerted return to their rough-hewn roots, only spit-shined with the gleaming chrome that’s come to define them in recent years.
Thus does »Savage Dawn« exhibit a unique dichotomy: their ancient metal’s more juiced-up than ever, but the craggy edges come through in the content while the form is powerfully professional – “slick” only in the very best sense, with mixing by the esteemed Javi Félez (Teitanblood, Destroyer 666, Graveyard) and mastering by the equally esteemed Jaime Gómez Arellano (Ghost, Satan, Mayhem) providing that punch. As such, across these ten new tracks (anthemically presaged by »Rattlesnake« on »Metal Gladiator«, as vintage four-piece Motörheaded as it comes) do we hear Iron Curtain throw the likes of classic Riot, Jaguar, and Running Wild into their by-now-characteristic blender, with leads and melodies more soaring than ever.
Cool songs, catchy choruses, straightforward riffs, and pure heavy metal with all killers and no fillers – what more do you need?! Iron Curtain drop the biggest sledgehammer with »Savage Dawn«! Dying Victims Productions released Iron Curtain’s highly anticipated fifth album, »Savage Dawn«, on CD and vinyl LP formats in February 2024.
Doomentia Records and Thrash Nightmare Promotion joined forces with Spanish bandoleros Iron Curtain to strike a fierce new EP, »Obsidio • Celeritas • Interitus«, released March 14th, 2025. This explosive release brings the relentless Iron Curtain trademark “Heavy Metal without Anesthesia” with 4 exclusive brand new tracks of heavy/speed metal. The Latin titles – Obsidio (Siege), Celeritas (Speed), and Interitus (Destruction) – perfectly encapsulate the heart-pounding essence of this epic record, as the band takes listeners on a high-speed journey through sonic warfare.
With blistering guitar solos, thunderous drums, and aggressive, yet melodic vocals, the Spanish Metal Inquisition delivers a raw, unfiltered dose of heavy metal that leaves no room for weakness. Prepare for the siege, feel the speed, and embrace the destruction. Iron Curtain’s »Obsidio • Celeritas • Interitus« EP is the logical continuation to their previous opus »Savage Dawn«; no doubt that this guys are in their prime!
Discography:
• »Mosh Or Die« Demo (2009)
• »Dirty & Fast« Demo (2010)
• »B-days« Compilation (Kvlto al Metal Productions, 2012)
• »Road To Hell« LP (Heavy Forces Records, 2012)
• »Black Fist« EP (Anger Of Metal Records, 2012)
• »Heavy Metal Strike« Split (Anger Of Metal Records, 2013)
• »Jaguar Spirit« LP (Heavy Forces Records, 2013)
• »Forjando El Acero Vol.1« Split (Falcata Discos, 2014)
• »Outlaw« EP (High Roller Records, 2015)
• »Wild & Rebel« Single (2016)
• »Guilty As Charged« LP (Pure Steel Records, 2016)
• »To Hell And Back« Split (2018)
• »Danger Zone« LP (Dying Victims Productions, 2019)
• »Demo Advance Tape 2022« Demo (Gorgon Records, 2022)
• »Metal Gladiator« EP (Dying Victims Productions, 2023)
• »Gypsy Rocker« Single (Dying Victims Productions, 2023)
• »Evil Is Everywhere« Single (Dying Victims Productions, 2024)
• »Devil’s Eyes« Single (Dying Victims Productions, 2024)
• »Savage Dawn« LP (Dying Victims Productions, 2024)
• »Obsidio • Celeritas • Interitus« EP (Doomentia Records / Thrash Nightmare Promotion, 2025)
Iron Curtain is:
Mike Leprosy – Vocals, Guitar
Joserra – Bass
José Vicente Aldeguer – Drums (Live)
Miguel Ángel López – Guitar (Live)
FFO: Motörhead, Exciter, Running Wild, Tank, Iron Angel, Diamond Head, Raven, Grave Digger, Enforcer, Abattoir
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well