Review: “Soul Death” from Iron Rule

Southern California born and raised on inspirations like Despised Icon and The Acacia Strain, the return of Iron Rule is a welcome one. A Metallic Hardcore orientated outfit who have permeated their sound with Deathcore, Slam and Beatdown moments, Daniel Lopez (Face Your Maker) on vocals and Mike Monterone, Nick Paredes and Curtis Slater (ex-There May Be Blood) on Guitar, Bass and Drums respectively. They’ve been making a name for themselves since 2018 with EP “Cold And Cruel” followed by album “Ninth Circle” made waves…

“Soul Death” begins with the heat and intensity of “Hate In My Veins“, a cut that swings and smashes expectations as the band blur the lines between sub-genres like the artwork of a small child going over the lines in a colouring book. Skull crushing Metallic Hardcore rises with reverberating drum sound that feels like an anvil being struck by a sledgehammer before a burst of Slam inspired vocal violence finds Lopez spitting and snarling like a rabid dog. The downtempo passage is the almighty vice grip on the cerebral cortex that the build up deserved before the final onslaught thins the herd. Interlude “Destined Death” is a sub 60 second burst of power, a cut that serves to cleanse the palate while feeling like it’s incomplete. Jay Muller of Reminitions fame joins Lopez for title track “Soul Remover“, a similarly barbed affair that packs a groove fuelled punch and a false ending that is the work of genius. It reminds of “Slander” era Dr. Acula as the vocalists go head to head, intertwining beastly sounds and blood gargling over progressively slower riffs as the tidal wave of rhythmic power the band has destroys everything it their path. After that knock out blow from a prize fighter “Dream In Fear” finds the Lopez screaming more cleanly for Hardcore inspired passages that offer two step appeal, lung busting Slam vocal moments between each one making the band something of a gateway act to heavier bands. All in all this three track proper affair is another victory that is short and sickly sweet, leaving us begging for more [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Hate In My Veins
2. Destined Death
3. Soul Remover (ft. Jay Muller of Reminitions)
4. Dream In Fear

“Soul Death” by Iron Rule is out 30th June 2023 and is available over at bandcamp.