Much darker in tone and more aggressive than previous releases, Iron Fire’s fifth studio outing is one of the purest power metal albums in recent memory. Where the band’s previous effort, BLADE OF TRIUMPH, benefited from its Saxon-meets-Dio fantasy anthems, TO THE GRAVE invokes the harsh and gritty climate of battle. The band retains its fist-pounding, headbanging anthem quality, but the production, courtesy of Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Jorn), is much more street-ready. From Martin Steene’s (Force of Evil) pseudo-gothic vocals to the driving, rhythmic pulse of the songs, it is evident that TO THE GRAVE is Iron Fire’s call-to-arms.