Iron Slaught – Metallic Torments (Protean Heavy Speed Metal)

 

Talk about versatility. We have a true gathering of sages here. Few bands have I encountered who have this much ability to adapt and shift. They’re practically protean in that regard, which makes Iron Slaught’s latest full-length, Metallic Torments, the new must-own for 2026. The French excel at certain types of metal, in this case any genre leaning towards heavy or at least partially adjacent. I think it’s their skill at imparting emotion through sound, which becomes extremely visible in black metal, but for it to work in the heavy varieties, as we’re finding here, it takes a specific level of finesse with an innate desire to create true fucking metal.

   

Is there anything these guys can’t do? I mean Christ this shit’s goddamn amazing! Metallic Torments carries the tradition Iron Slaught started over a decade ago, but after what is a fairly lengthy sabbatical or a long nap, let’s call it, they’ve reappeared aged, yet saged. The depth of metal knowledge here is impressive, and Iron Slaught are never reluctant in their approach. They can sing like a demigod courting a lover, they can scream like a released demon, they can shred strings to ribbons, they can solo like a metal priest, they can crush like a bestial orc, and that’s about all my analogies for today. Let’s just say that Metallic Torments is a superabundance of everything that best of metal needs, and the worst of metal lacks. Take another nap before the next one guys, we know it will be worth it.

 

Iron Slaught Official Bandcamp

Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls

Iron Slaught – Metallic Torments
Gates of Hell Records
Cover Art: Mario Lopez
4.8 / 5