Rabidfest 2023: “Iron Thunder” by Imperium (Track Review)

At the end of April we asked if it was possible to combine a weekly Rabidfest feature and a track review for the new Tribe of Ghosts single “Sunburner (Deny The Rot)” in a single article and make it work? The result of that was a resounding yes so we did it again last week with “Alone & Against” from Monasteries. Three times a charm as they say so this time, as the headline says for the brand new single “Iron Thunder” by Imperium! They will of course take to the Devolution Magazine sponsored main stage at The Bullingdon in November. Contenders ready! Gladiators ready! 3-2-1 FIGHT!

Having made their name with their self titled EP last year, Imperium are wasting absolute no time with balladry. Instead they feed on the fuel of “Ride The Lightening” era Metallica to create an anthem that is an ode to the golden age of 80’s Bay Area Thrash while having more than enough of a life of its own. Recorded with Oz Craggs of Feed The Rhino fame at Hidden Track Studios (Lauren Harris, State Of You, Gallows), it feels like with him behind the boards the band feel confident and able to express themselves while having a whole lot of fun at the same time. The intense heat of the Napalm of the blistering extended solo is masterful, balancing on a knife edge flamboyance with the right amount of direction and purpose as a step away from the Groove laden old school Thrash of main riff. Add to that a chorus is an arena filling sing-a-long moment that loses none of the momentum of the verse to bring it home and you’ve got a potent mix. Make no mistake, “Iron Thunder” is a powerful statement piece from a band whose stature is growing by the day that not only turns heads but raises horns with skillful musicanship and a heart made of steel [8/10]

We’re proud to be a Media Partner of Rabidfest again this year alongside Red Death Media, Moomin Merchandise, Metalplanetmusic, Moshville Times, GraphicsFix, Unearthed Music and main stage sponsor Devolution Magazine. The Festival is all for charity and this year the profits going to the The Sophie Lancaster Foundation! Here’s the line up announced so far for this years event…

Bound In Fear
Blaze Bayley
Absolva
Ward XVI
Mortishead
Tribe Of Ghosts
Gutlocker
Imperium
From Her Ashes
Draconian Reign
Monasteries
Reveller
LestWeForget
Johanna Rey
Cage Fight
Stone Soup
Second Hour
Depolarize
Indecorum
Sworn Amongst

Rabidfest will take place at The Bullingdon in Oxford over the weekend of the 4th and 5th November 2023:

Get your tickets here -> https://www.rabidfest.co.uk

Get your merch here -> https://shop.rabidfest.co.uk