Album Reviews : Tarot – Spell of Iron MMXI

Ever wish you had a time machine to go back and change the past? Well Finnish Metalers, Tarot have done exactly that. The recent re-recording of their 1986 debut album Spell of Iron, titled Spell of Iron MMXI is essentially a blast from the past with the energy and power riffs of today akin with Nightwish, Amorphis and Sonata Artica.

This latest rerelease is catering for new audiences with the powerful riffs, synth and sampling that the band has come to be known by in their more recent years. This recording possesses a fuller sound (which we come to expect from modern technology), more drums and power chords giving it an overall heavier feel and making it distinctly different from the original recording.

The classic tunes still remain the classic tunes; the commanding guitar solos and guttural vocals of ‘Midwinter Nights’ and ‘Wings of Darkness’ still get the blood boiling and resistance to stamp your feet is futile.

However; changing, riffs, tempos and the overall feel of the album did not win any hearts and minds here. The 1986 original had guts and raw passion, while the 2011 re-recording, in my opinion, seemed to be the band going through the motions to keep up appearances with today’s modern metal world.

Whilst this remastering of their “legendary debut album” has been embraced by new and old fans alike it is not the ‘same’ release as it was in 1986, nor can we expect it to be. Tarot has evolved.

Band: Tarot
Album: Spell of Iron MMXI
Year: 2011
Genre: heavy/power metal
Origin: Finland
Label: Nuclear Blast
http://www.wingsofdarkness.net

Track listing:
1. Midwinter Nights
2. Dancing on the Wire
3. Back in the Fire
4. Love’s Not Made For My Kind
5. Never Forever
6. The Spell of Iron
7. De Mortui Nisi Bene
8. Pharao
9. Wings of Darkness
10. Things that Crawl at Night