So last week I promised you doom, and true to my word that is exactly what I bring, in the form of mighty riff-machine Iron Man!

Even if you aren't familiar with these Maryland legends, you've probably gathered from the moniker that they're just a little bit Sabbath-inclined. And you'd be right.

Iron Man began life as a Black Sabbath tribute band in the late 80’s before switching focus to writing their own material. Such was the impressive nature of their self-penned songs, that they were snapped up by trailblazing German doom stable Hellhound Records, for whom they recorded two essential albums: 1993’s 'Black Night' and 'The Passage' (’94). Five years on, they unleashed the equally important and heavy-as hell ‘Generation Void’ before taking an extended hiatus from recorded output that has only been recently rectified!

The troupe are led by cult guitar hero Al Morris the 3rd, who really is as musically close to Iommi as humanly possible. But his skill does not solely lie in the handling of his instrument; he is also an adept songwriter who could most probably land a whale with his heaviest of hooks.

Throughout their existence, Morris has completed Iron Man's various line ups with a revolving cast of musicians from the Maryland/DC scene (it would be far too lengthy to list associated bands). The current line up, who have been together for a little over 3 years, brought forth the wonderful (statement of intent) 'I Have Returned' last year via heavy metal champions Shadow Kingdom Records. And there can be no question about them having returned - it's an album packed full of highly-charged, mid/up tempo doom metal that will have your noggin moving before you even realise.

This year has also seen the long overdue reissues of their first 2 records, again through Shadow Kingdom and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

If you're not sold based upon the above and are maybe thinking "oh no, not another Sabbath rip-off etc..." trust me, and treat Iron Man with more of a "go on then, I'll have just one more for the road" attitude. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Here endeth this week’s lesson.

For more Iron Man info see www.myspace.com/ironmanband & http://www.freewebs.com/provisions/

You can also find all four albums at Shadow Kingdom: www.shadowkingdomrecords.com

---

Rest in peace Ronnie. Long Live Rock and Roll.

Feel free to send your thoughts, opinions and rants to ageoftaurus@googlemail.com