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)
Only the Good Die Young
Iron Mask Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With my bare hands I touched the innocence itself
Since darkness falls
The threatening shadows keep on rising
How can I stop that cycle
(I'm) just a humble servant of the Lord
Only the good die young, the evil live forever
Only the good die young
One day, I trust, then I will really understand it
One day however there might be peace of mind agreed
In roaring silence we pretend to listen closely
So all we hear is but a whisper in the hurricane of sound
Only the good die young, the evil live forever
Only the good die young, the evil live forever
Oh, only the good die young
Since darkness falls
The threatening shadows keep on rising
So all we hear is but a whisper in the hurricane of sound
Only the good die young, the evil live forever
Only the good die young, the evil live forever
Only the good die young (only the good die young)
Darkness falling, death is calling, purity lies bleeding
Shadows rising, evilizing
Only the good die young
Only the good die young
Iron Mask's song "Only the Good Die Young" portrays the contrast between good and evil. The lyrics begin with the singer explaining how they witnessed the effects of evil on the purity of the world. The imagery of "purity lie bleeding" and touching "innocence itself" reveals the depth of the pain that innocent people face as a result of evil. Despite the singer's desire to stop the evil cycle, they realize that they are just a "humble servant of the Lord," suggesting that there is a greater power at play.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Only the good die young," which emphasizes the idea that the world seems to reward evil while punishing goodness. By stating "the evil live forever," the song conveys a sense of hopelessness in the face of such a harsh reality. The second verse refers to the possibility of finding peace of mind one day, but acknowledges that currently, all we hear is a "whisper in the hurricane of sound."
The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, which highlights the underlying message that goodness is often not rewarded in this world. The lyrics of "Darkness falling, death is calling, purity lies bleeding, shadows rising, evilizing," suggest that evil is taking over. In short, "Only the Good Die Young" portrays the harsh reality that goodness often seems to be punished while evil is rewarded.
Line by Line Meaning
With my own eyes I saw the purity lie bleeding
I witnessed purity being destroyed and corrupted firsthand
With my bare hands I touched the innocence itself
I personally experienced innocence and its vulnerability
Since darkness falls
As darkness descends upon us
The threatening shadows keep on rising
Dangerous forces continue to grow and expand
How can I stop that cycle
I feel powerless to break this pattern of destruction
(I'm) just a humble servant of the Lord
I recognize my smallness and submit to a higher power
Only the good die young, the evil live forever
Goodness is fragile and easily destroyed, while evil seems to endure
One day, I trust, then I will really understand it
I hope to one day comprehend this world's injustices and tragedies
One day however there might be peace of mind agreed
Perhaps one day we will find peace and understanding
In roaring silence we pretend to listen closely
We act as if we are paying attention, though we are truly deafened by the chaos around us
So all we hear is but a whisper in the hurricane of sound
Amidst the chaos, all we can perceive is a faint, insignificant noise
Darkness falling, death is calling, purity lies bleeding
As darkness descends, death looms, and purity is lost
Shadows rising, evilizing
Dangerous, malevolent forces are growing and expanding
Only the good die young
Goodness is vulnerable and easily destroyed
Contributed by Annabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.