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)
SAHARA
Iron Mask Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where everything is like made of dust and stone
Once you have entered you cannot escape
Terra deserta will thrill you to the bone
Life is just but a caravan
What keeps you going is difficult to find
It never rains on a death parade
Sahara - the hot wind rages
Sahara - vast hostile land
Sahara - on through the ages
Sahara - time is of sand
Buried deep under the golden shroud
There lies the desert son's greatest gift of all
You may not see what you're heading for
Still your origin is save behind dune walls
Life is just but a caravan
What keeps you going is difficult to find
It never rains on a death parade
For it's the seekers everlasting lonely ride
Sahara - the hot wind rages
Sahara - vast hostile land
Sahara - on through the ages
Sahara - time is of sand
Sahara - the hot wind rages
Sahara - vast hostile land
Sahara - on though the ages
Sahara - time is of sand
The song 'Sahara' by Iron Mask talks about the Sahara desert in Africa, reflecting on the arid and hostile nature of the region. It embodies a mystical aura to the place, describing it as an old magic place, where everything is like made of dust and stone, and once you have entered, cannot escape. The singer highlights the dangers of this desert land, rendering a sense of intrigue and mystery that it evokes, thrilling you to the bone. The lyrics further talk about how life is just but a caravan and the struggle to survive in the harsh conditions of the desert, making it difficult to find what keeps you going. It never rains on a death parade, and for those who seek to traverse this land, it is an everlasting lonely ride.
The song's title, 'Sahara,' suggests the focus is mainly on the Sahara desert. It portrays the desert land as a terrifying and relentless force to be reckoned with, known for its hot raging winds and vast hostile land, which features are explicitly mentioned in the chorus. The lyrics mention the great gift of the son of the desert that lies beneath the golden shroud, hidden in the deep dunes of the Sahara. The nature of the gift remains unclear, but the song brings out the idea that despite the dangers, the ultimate prize may be worth the risks.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you heard of that old magic place
Iron Mask is asking if the listener has ever heard of a certain magical place
Where everything is like made of dust and stone
Iron Mask describes the place as having a bleak and desolate appearance
Once you have entered you cannot escape
Iron Mask indicates that once you enter this place, you are trapped there
Terra deserta will thrill you to the bone
Iron Mask refers to the place as 'Terra deserta' and warns that it is an unsettling and scary experience
Life is just but a caravan
Iron Mask compares life to a caravan, always moving forward
What keeps you going is difficult to find
Iron Mask suggests that the motivation to keep moving forward can be hard to find
It never rains on a death parade
Iron Mask uses a metaphor to say that even in the midst of struggle and death, challenges will keep coming
For it's the seekers everlasting lonely ride
Iron Mask asserts that the journey is a lonely ride for the seeker who is searching for something important
Buried deep under the golden shroud
Iron Mask refers to something that is deeply hidden and covered
There lies the desert son's greatest gift of all
Iron Mask suggests that even though something is hidden, the greatest gift of all can still be found there
You may not see what you're heading for
Iron Mask points out that the journey may be difficult and the goal may not be visible
Still your origin is safe behind dune walls
Iron Mask reassures that the seeker's origins are still present and protected during the journey
Sahara - the hot wind rages
Iron Mask is describing the place named 'Sahara', suggesting that it is marked by constants of heat and wind
Sahara - vast hostile land
Iron Mask portrays the Sahara as a vast, unfriendly place
Sahara - on through the ages
Iron Mask suggests that the Sahara has been there for a long time
Sahara - time is of sand
Iron Mask uses a metaphor of sand to suggest that time is constantly moving and never permanent
Sahara - the hot wind rages
Iron Mask repeats his description of the Sahara as a place of hot, fierce winds
Sahara - vast hostile land
Iron Mask repeats that this is a vast and harsh place
Sahara - on though the ages
Iron Mask repeats that the Sahara is ancient
Sahara - time is of sand
Iron Mask repeats his metaphor about time being fleeting and constantly changing
Contributed by John L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.