Iron Tongue
The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown

October 2013
Released: n/a, Neurot Recordings
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Waspman

New collective Iron Tongue is led by sludge doomsters Rwake frontman CT, but these Arkansas-based rockers have little in common with that experimental scene. Instead, this debut album showcases a band very much in love with ‘70s rock, dropping names like Blue Cheer, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Grand Funk throughout their bio. It’s definitely a case of truth in advertising because if you combine those bands with the doomier feel of bands on their home label (Neurot Recordings), you’ve got a pretty good indicator of where Iron Tongue are coming from, musically.



Quiet, bluesy guitar strumming opens “Ever After”, setting an introspective mood that will last throughout the album. A female choir begins quietly chanting, before CT soon joins with some wistful vocals as the slow burn continues. It’s beautiful and hypnotic, making the song's inevitable explosion into heavy guitar riffery at the five-minute mark all the more poignant. It’s a truly great song that perfectly sets the stage for future greatness.



Despite the fact that the songs get heavier from here on, the rest of the album doesn’t quite match this amazing atmosphere. “Witchery” is a great thunderous rocker and a definite highlight, as is the dirge-to-rockin’ closer “Said ‘N Done”, but there are few too many songs that have great individual parts that don’t quite cohere into a great overall track.



That being said, I love the vibe that Iron Tongue is onto with this release. Their music has a timeless feel that sounds current despite its deep roots. I’ll be keeping an eye on these guys and look forward to hearing more in the future.