Dushan signed with Lion Music in early 2002 to record a side project Iron Mask. The band’s name and some songs of the album are also based on the famous book ‘The man in the Iron Mask’ by Alexander Dumas. Great melodic power metal music is what you will get from this band, Dushan’s guitar playing is influenced by a lot of different musicians and composers like Handel, Verdi, Paganini, Mozart. This album was titled 'Revenge Is My Name'.
The opening song of the album ‘Enemy Brother’ is Handel‘s Overture arranged for electric guitar by Dushan, recorded with a real string section. Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Romeo, Michael Schenker and Gary Moore are Dushan’s electric influences.
Dushan‘s got his own style of playing and to compose music is what he likes most mixing his influences to create his own universe which combine melody, energy, fantasy, virtuosity, epic lyrics and incredibly fast soloing, he’s one of the best guitar player of the new generation. Bass was recorded by Vassili Moltchanov (also in Magic Kingdom), who played with the famous Russian band Master in the 80’s . The vocals were recorded by Phil Letaw (ex-Cryme), a perfect mix between Dio and Mark Boals. Keyboards recorded by virtuoso Youri Degroote. If you like good catchy metal songs with a shred attitude then The Man In The Iron Mask is for you.
Dushan then set about recording the Scorpions track 'Yellow Raven' for Lion Music's Uli Jon Roth tribute Beyond Inspiration as well as recording a inspired interpretation of the Rainbow classic Gates Of Babylon for Lion Music's' Ritchie Blackmore tribute Blackmore's Castle I.
Iron Mask then returned in April 2005 back stronger than ever with a truly great new album and line up on Hordes Of The Brave. The album combines majestic arrangements with mind blowing power throughout the 11 tracks on offer - all penned by Dushan Petrossi.
New vocalist Goetz ‘Valhalla Jr’ Mohre contributes incredible vocals reminiscent of Graham Bonnet or David Coverdale with Bruce Dickinson-esque touches. This unique voice combines the finest melodic qualities with an aggressive delivery. Guest vocalist Oliver Hartmann (ex-At Vance) adds vocals to 3 tracks: The Invisible Empire, Crystal Tears and Iced Wind Of The North (a duet with Mohre).
After a successful collaboration on the 2nd Magic Kingdom album (Metallic Tragedy), Dushan just had to work with Hartmann again due to their similar influences. The recording of the lead and backing vocals as well as the epic choir arrangements were done at Hartmann’s ‘Alive Studio’ in Germany. The music was recorded in Brussels throughout 2003 and the first half of 2004 (in ‘Iron Kingdom’ studio, and ‘Galasse’ studio). On the performances of Mohre and Hartmann Petrossi comments, “These two great metal singers contributed the right feeling and performances for these melodies, which are the best and catchiest I have wrote to date - destined to become live anthems”.
The metal scene’s hottest keyboardist Richard Andersson (Majestic, Time Requiem, Space Odyssey) is responsible for all the keyboards solos on ‘Hordes Of The Brave’. Andersson immediately accepted the job after hearing the material and contributed speedy, symphonic, classy yet melodic neo-classically-inspired work. The matching of Petrossi and Andersson has produced one of the finest pairings in neo-classical history, along with some of the most awesome fast, furious yet melodic soloing duels heard to date.
For the rhythm section Petrossi relied upon the rock solid rhythm section of Magic Kingdom. Vassili Moltchanov (one of the most respected bassists in Belgium) and Russian drummer Anton Arkhipov (famous for his work in thrash band Exhumator) deliver breathtaking technique and energy. In addition Anton studied at the Musical Academy in Minsk and possesses a good strength at orchestral arrangements.
The title ‘Hordes Of The Brave’ is a tribute to Alexander The Great, one of the greatest conquerors and warriors of all time. Despite being an arrogant and ambitious character he was full of respect for the lands he invaded and their people’s rights and races. As with ‘The Man In The Iron Mask’ an epic story has influenced Petrossi’s lyrics and music.
Didier Chesneau at ‘Melody Studios’ in Paris mixed ‘Hordes Of The Brave’ during August 2004 delivering a sound that is both loud and clear. Mika Jussila mastered the album at the famous ‘Finnvox’ studio in Finland. The album artwork is by Leo Hao (Blind Guardian, Magic Kingdom, Iced Earth, Nocturnal rites) an artist from Moscow.
‘Hordes Of The Brave’ is a marked contrast to Dushan’s other releases in that there are no instrumental tracks - only good old epic hard rock with excellent singers. Music fans can expect a lot of melody, baroque and a few progressive influences. Simply ‘Hordes Of The Brave’ is great song writing and 6 exceptional musicians – nothing more, nothing less.
On the subject of the music Petrossi says, “I’m doing the music I love and I don’t care about what’s in fashion or nu metal shit. Nor what’s original or not in the metal scene. Neo-Classical Metal has been deeply rooted in my heart and mind for years, so when I’m composing new material I do not think – “This is sounding like Yngwie or whoever; better put it in the trash”. I never do that because this music is being true to my heart and it’s the way I hear music”.
Lineup
Current lineup:
Dushan Petrossi - guitars, composing & songwriting
Mike Slembrouck - vocals
Vassili Moltchanov - bass
Ramy Ali - drums
Former & guest members:
Mark Boals - vocals (2010-2014)
Goetz "Valhalla Jr." Mohr - vocals
Roma Siadletski - extreme vocals and backing vocals
Carsten "Lizard" Schulz - vocals (live)
Göran Edman - vocals (Track 10 of Black as Death)
Oliver Hartmann - vocals (2009-2010)
Marcos Rodriguez - vocals (live)
Fil Letow - vocals
Diego Valdez - vocals
Richard Andersson - keyboards (2003-2005)
Mats Olausson - keyboards (2011-2015, his death)
Andreas Lindhal - keyboards
Phil Giordana - keyboards (live)
Erik Stout - drums
Anton Arkhipov - drums (Exhumator, Magic Kingdom)
Discography
* Revenge is my Name (2004)
* Hordes of the Brave (2005)
* Shadow Of The Red Baron (2009)
*Black as Death (2011)
*Fifth Son of Winterdoom (2013)
*Diabolica (2016)
*Master of Masters (2020)
Holy War
Iron Mask Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think your life is so pure
I know you've lost your mind
Prisoner of illusion
In the name of god you're killing
You will be king in heaven
You preach the bad words
To the children of this world
I'll always be the master
Of my life and destiny
Your heart is so black
Committing all these crimes
You stab a knife right in my back
Holy war, Holy war
Tell me what you're fighting for
Do you want to fight eternally?
Holy war, Holy war
You won't find what you're raging for
The whole world is your enemy
(Holy War)
You are the mask of Satan
The sword of evil on earth
Invasion is your first wish
Leading all these fools
And I just want to break you
You are the force to be stopped
Don't ever cross my frontier
I will hunt you down
I just want to be free
I'll always be the master
Of my life and destiny
Your heart is so black
Committing all these crimes
You stab a knife right in my back
Holy war, Holy war
Tell me what you're fighting for
Do you want to fight eternally?
Holy war, Holy war
You won't find what you're raging for
The whole world is your enemy
(Holy War)
Iron Mask's "Holy War" is a powerful song that tackles the theme of religious fanaticism, delusion, and violence in the name of god. The lyrics describe a person who chooses to follow evil and thinks that their life is pure, but they are actually a prisoner of illusion. They have lost their mind and are committing heinous crimes in the name of god, thinking they will be crowned as kings in heaven. The song's protagonist, on the other hand, wants to be free and be the master of their life and destiny, but their enemy is everywhere, fueling the holy war that has taken over the world.
The chorus of the song, "Tell me what you're fighting for, do you want to fight eternally?," questions the very motivations of people who engage in holy wars. The song accuses such people of being the mask of Satan, the sword of evil on earth, and leading fools to their doom. The song's protagonist wants to break this force and hunt down the people who commit crimes and stab them in the back. The song's overall message is that the holy war has no meaning, and it only brings destruction and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
You choose to follow evil
You have made a conscious decision to embrace and follow evil
You think your life is so pure
You believe your life is untainted and free of wrongdoing
I know you've lost your mind
I am aware that you are mentally unhinged and irrational
Prisoner of illusion
You are trapped in a world of illusions and delusions
In the name of god you're killing
You justify your acts of killing and violence in the name of god or religion
You will be king in heaven
You believe that your violent deeds will earn you a place of power and authority in the afterlife
You preach the bad words
You spread negative and harmful messages to others
To the children of this world
You target and influence young and impressionable minds
I just want to be free
I desire to be free from your oppression and control
I'll always be the master
I will always have control over my own life and destiny
Of my life and destiny
I am responsible for the course of my own life and future
Your heart is so black
Your heart is filled with darkness and malice
Committing all these crimes
You are guilty of committing various crimes and wrongdoings
You stab a knife right in my back
You betray and harm me, despite any trust or loyalty I may have shown you in the past
Holy war, Holy war
This is a call to arms in the name of holy war
Tell me what you're fighting for
What is the purpose or reason behind your violent actions?
Do you want to fight eternally?
Are you willing to engage in continuous battle and conflict for all of eternity?
You won't find what you're raging for
Your violent desires and actions will not bring you the satisfaction or fulfillment you seek
The whole world is your enemy
You see the entire world as being against you and your cause
You are the mask of Satan
You are a deceptive and evil figure, hiding behind a facade of righteousness
The sword of evil on earth
You are the embodiment of evil and bring destruction and harm to the world
Invasion is your first wish
You desire to conquer and invade others as your primary goal
Leading all these fools
You manipulate and control others who are foolish enough to follow and believe in you
Don't ever cross my frontier
Do not dare to oppose or challenge me or my authority
I will hunt you down
I will pursue and capture you, no matter where you may try to hide or escape
Contributed by Andrew V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.