Iron awesome
B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 06/03/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't care how much this album sounds like Black Sabbath- Iron Claw is a mighty fine rock band. Besides, I'd say this band is based more in the blues (excluding the lengthy jam on Sabbath's debut album, of course).
"Claustrophobia"... oh I'm sorry "CLAWstrophobia" contains some mighty heavy guitar riffs for its time. Yes it's true you will hear similarities and comparisons ranging from Cream to Deep Purple to Black Sabbath, but I honestly could care less. The fact I'm the first person to review this album is totally amazing to me. This album doesn't deserve to be forgotten, and it's a darn shame it has.
You mean to tell me there's like, THOUSANDS of stoner rock Black Sabbath wannabe bands out there today, and *those* bands are getting more recognition than this Iron Claw album? That makes absolutely ZERO sense. Excuse me if I don't believe that's very fair.
According to the description, Iron Claw used to cover Black Sabbath songs back in the day. That would have been something to see through a live experience. Actually that's pretty amazing considering Black Sabbath was just tagged as another rock band back in the early 70's.
Of course today we recognize Sabbath for all their innovations and Iommi's ahead of its time distinctive guitar tone, but back in the day, let's just say, it's really awesome at least SOMEBODY out there was paying close attention to Black Sabbath enough to cover their material.
Anyway, while listening to Iron Claw, you will probably pick up many Sabbath similarities. I've spotted a few myself.
One track sounds like the speeding up part of the title track "Black Sabbath" from their debut, another song contains tempo changes amazingly similar to "Hands of Doom", while another similarity I immediately noticed was the guitar jam at the end of "Lord of this World" used for a track on this Iron Claw album.
Now these aren't note for note ripoffs or anything, and who knows? Perhaps I'm just paying *too* close attention and I'm completely off.
I'd say another band Iron Claw resembles would be Jethro Tull. The flutes, and even some of the guitar solos remind me of early Jethro Tull. Actually listen to the guitar playing from Minstrel in the Gallery and you might hear some similarities. Of course that album came out way after this one, so maybe Jethro Tull was listening to these guys.
Of course many of us are aware of the Black Sabbath/Jethro Tull connections concerning Tony Iommi, but that's irrelevant in this particular case. Unless Iron Claw used to tour with those bands back in the day.
Anyway, ENOUGH comparisons. On its own, the majority of this Iron Claw album is some of the finest early hard rock combined with a touch of blues you will ever hear. The vocals become better with repeated listens, and the entire album just has a ton of replay value. PLEASE! Someone else out there review this album so I'm not the only one."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1