The Iron Roses – Self Titled

When is a debut album album not a debut album? Well, maybe the initial release from The Iron Roses is the answer to that question. Originally a touring band that hit the road as Nathan Gray & The Iron Roses, but with Nathan Gray (Boysetsfire / I Am Heresy) no longer taking centre stage in the band’s moniker, this symbolises that this is no longer Gray’s solo project, but rather a collective where everyone is an equal contributor. Nathan Gray, who has since professed to be pansexual and nonbinary, is an obvious draw for fans but The Iron Roses are a very different beast to the previous solo and collective outings they have released.

Nathan Gray is joined in The Iron Roses by co-vocalist Becky Fontaine, guitarists Philip “Eugenius” Smith and Pedro Aida, bassist Michael Espinosa and Steve Cerri on drums, all equal partners, all focused on making music with the aim of making a positive change in the world, and let’s face it, now more than ever we need to make positive changes to the societies we live in. Whilst The Iron Roses are clearly pissed off with just about everything, this is not screaming hardcore, neither are the world’s woes being shoved down your throat, the songs The Iron Roses deliver on the debut full length are written with the intention of motivating and raising spirits, as well as raising a defiant fist and drawing a metaphorical line in the sand.

I have previously had discussions with others on The Punk Site about how music seems to be unlikely to change the world despite it’s many attempts over the decades, and as everything seems to be consistently heading south at the moment this would seem to be a valid argument, but what music can do is change minds, and that is the spirit in which The Iron Roses album is written, change minds and those minds might just change the world for the better. Even small positive changes can cumulatively lead to a more positive future for everyone. It’s obvious that this is a band that has the belief, pedigree and a positive attitude, but what does The Iron Roses debut release offer musically? The message can be as worthy as any, but if the message is lost or no one is listening then it’s just howling into the void.

Lyrically the fury and resentments is present but this isn’t reflected in the soundtrack that backs it up, this is not an abrasive and furious album, at least not musically. The opening track, Screaming For A Change, is the perfect start in explaining this dichotomy, this is upbeat punk rock tinged with ska that will get fists pumping and pits circling. Every track is melodic punk perfection, lyrically challenging but musically letting loose. Each of the eleven tracks delivers a defiant manifesto that you can dance into the dark times to. This is perfect cathartic punk rock, by becoming a collective rather than a vehicle for the singer The Iron Roses have delivered one of the best and most important albums you will hear this year. Society won’t change in a day, but with bands like The Iron Roses delivering the message then minds might start to change, any kind of utopia is off the table for the foreseeable future, but maybe, just maybe we can start a snowball effect. Things aren’t looking that bright right now, but the future remains unwritten.

You can pre-order The Iron Roses self titled debut, purchase tickets for the upcoming tour dates and find all things related to The Iron Roses here.