Musical Style: Heavy Metal	Produced By:
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2026	Artist Website:
Tracks: 5	Rating: 75%
Running Time: 14:11

The Iron Faith April of 2026 Roxx  Records self titled  five song debut  EP provides the guitar driven temper and rugged vocals expected from the classic metal genre.  Production and packaging are up to standard.  However, lack of focus and dearth to songwriting depth hold it back.

Iron Faith represents the project of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and composer ‘Metal’ Mike Cook, whom spent the better part of the nineties touring the metal circuit prior to stepping away from music to focus on family.  However, music remained in his blood in that Cook returned to the scene in 2025 to participate in the eighties hair metal project MetalKäst only to feel a deeper calling ‘to fuse his spiritual convictions with the relentless power of traditional heavy metal’ (quoting the Roxx Records press material).  Aftermath of said calling is Iron Faith, ‘a project that balances hard-hitting sonic aggression with faith-based lyrical depth’ (again, the Roxx press material).

To help bring his vision to fruition Cook recruited a host of talented guest musicians to round out the Iron Faith roster, including drummer Devin James and guitarists including Trevor DeTalente, Sean Senhenn, Gabriel Skyline, and Jarred Zorzy.

Repeat play reveals each of the five Iron Faith songs well conceived in featuring the generous hooks and persistent melodies that easily hold up under the test of time.  The overriding catchiness is such it is a challenge to keep individual songs out of your head.  Lone complaint, however, is manner in which Iron Faith abbreviates its material: out of the EP’s five tracks, three are less than three minutes and remaining two in the three to three and half-minute range.  At just over fourteen minutes, Iron Faith has to rank among the shortest EP’s ever!

Iron Faith gets off to a strong start with what in my opinion is its best song, “Moral Massacre”.  It brings the ingredients one expects of quality traditional metal in the form of exuberant energy, truncheon like guitars, active low end and smarting hooks.  Shouted backing vocals abut the caustic refrain.  Vocally, Cook brings a rough and tumble style that walks a fine line between Mike Vance (Armageddon) and Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.).  Lyric snippet:

Thou shall not steal
Thou shall not kill

We can lose our world
If we don’t stand and fight

For they got no moral code
They just do whatever they feel

If the entire EP were along such lines, we would be fine.  However, cracks begin to appear on follow up cut “Refuge”.  It is not a matter of the song being musically deficient, hooks are pronounced and lead guitar incredible, but rather it ends abruptly at two and half minutes- at just the point “Refuge” gets going it cuts off at once.  Impression is good song but also leaves somewhat wanting in that another minute to minute and half deserves added to its length.  Lyric snippet:

You’re my fortress, my protection

You are my refuge
You are my place to hide
The world comes crashing down
You’re always, you’re always by my side

Likewise, with “Fear The Lord”.  On the surface it is another good song- speed accelerates to rapid-fire territory and chorus brings valorous power metal style catchiness.  Again, lead guitar entices.  That said, once more as the song starts to peak it fades out when it could have been extended another minute.  Second consecutive song in which I feel a bit more thought could have gone into execution.  Lyric snippet:

You want to do things your own way
You want it now, don’t want to wait
You’re giving in to all the sin
Conforming to the ways of the world

We have to fear the Lord
We must obey His commands
He holds our life in His hands

“Giving It To God” is most outside the box by eschewing the traditional metal basis for a melodic metal semi ballad basis.  Song reinforces the slackened, dark and somber its span with a relaxed format in terms of the lithe guitars but vehement as well, pinpointing the gravelly vocals and unambiguous melody.  It does a better job establishing itself at three and half minutes.  Lyric snippet:

But anything is possible with You
All the times I tried to do it my own way
All the times when everything fell thru

Got to be patient
Cast my anxieties on You
I’m giving it to God

Closing cut “Iron Faith” incites my wrath.  Similar to much of the EP, it has the backbone of a good song in terms of barraging riffs, cannoning hooks and fine guitar work.  Problem is that it coldly cuts off at two and half minutes and in mid-sentence nonetheless.  I find this sloppy execution pointing to a lack of attention to detail, which is a non-negotiable on my part.  Let the song carry out long as needed and ultimately define itself in the process!  Lyric snippet:

Holy Spirit, come inside
Lead me to what’s right
Your grace, so powerful

My faith is strong
Without it there is no point to my life

Iron Faith- stronger than steel!

Hope I have not been unduly harsh in my critique of the Iron Wrath self-titled debut EP in that on the surface there is a great deal to like.  Production is solid, I take to the powerfully gravelly vocals, musicianship is up to standard and I appreciate the faith-based lyrics.  Songs rest on a foundation of vitalizing hooks and melodies but due to ending much too short they fail the received the chance to adequately build and develop.  My advice moving forward is spend more time developing your material into the four to five minute range with the goal to better draw in the listener.  I anticipate any follow up release from Iron Faith exhibiting marked improvement in such regard.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Moral Massacre” (3:03), “Refuge” (2:29), “Fear The Lord” (2:48), “Giving It To God” (3:26), “Iron Faith” (2:19)

Musicians
Mike Cook - Lead Vocals
Trevor DeTalente - Guitars
Sean Senhenn - Guitars
Gabriel Skyline - Guitars
Jarred Zorzy - Guitars
Devin James - Drums