Iron Horse are the rock meets country band led by Ronnie Keel (whose band Keel made a big impression on the 80’s metal scene but were never one of my personal favourates). Don’t expect Keel or 80’s hair metal antics but get ready for some of the best southern rock I’ve heard in many years.

‘American Thunder’ is a roll call of all the great strands of American music/bands - the most metal song on the album. The title track has a fun lyric and Jay Rusnak laying down some storming soloing. Good choice of covers including Steve Earle’s ‘The Other Kind’ and ‘Dixie Highway’, where Ronnie Keel duets with the song’s co-writer, Blackhawk’s Henry Paul. Other stand outs include ‘Desert Rose’ (more guitar solos) and the slow burning ‘Haunted Saloon’, which features a good story lyrically about a wild west shoot out.

Iron Horse certainly deserve a listen by lovers of southern rock and this is an album that stands up to repeated plays. Much, much better than Keel!

****

Review by Jason Ritchie

10 Questions

Band website

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly