Reforged – Riding on Fire

Reforged – Riding on Fire is a reconstruction-type work on which Iron Savior re-illuminates past songs through the current band’s playing and the latest production. Rather than merely tracing past material, by carefully reinterpreting it with a mature voice, modern sound pressure and a refined arrangement sense at the time of recording, the band’s sure change achieved over long years can be clearly confirmed. Ambitious content compiled as a two-disc set. More than subtle differences of tempo and key, the current figure of Iron Savior strongly appears precisely in the details of the playing — how the choruses are layered, the distance of the guitar and how the rhythm sinks. For fans who deeply know the original versions, noting not merely nostalgia but the differences of interpretation — which parts the band re-emphasizes and how — becomes a great pleasure. An intriguing project work with a different kind of interest from the fresh surprise of a new album. It also serves as a fine entry for looking back on a milestone of the band’s long career. Reaffirming the many signature songs while letting you read how Iron Savior organizes and re-grasps its history, it is a valuable record — a work well worth hearing for fans.