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)
We Will Meet Again
Iron Mask Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time for letting go
All the tears I cry
Cannot bring you back
Depression comes slowly
Aware of thoughts unholy
Salvation, I pray for
Down on my knees I pledge allegiance (so help me God)
We will meet again
Somewhere in the other world
You gave me life but how you're gone and I've to carry on
We will meet again
Someday on the other side
Death can't do us part we'll re-unite
Silent is the room
Silent is my heart
Bitter hours loom
Things remain unsaid
Repression comes slowly
Won't care for thoughts unholy
Sensation, excites me
Down on my knees I pledge allegiance (so help me god)
We will meet again
Somewhere in the other world
You gave me life but now you're gone and I've to carry on
We will meet again
Someday on the other side
Death can't do us part we'll re-unite
Yeah, we will meet again
Somewhere in the other world
You gave me life but now you're gone and I've to carry on
We will meet again
Someday on the other side
Deaths can't do us part we'll re-unite
We re-unite, yeah, on the other side
We re-unite, yeah, on the other side
Yes, we will!
The lyrics to Iron Mask's song "We Will Meet Again" are about loss, grief, and the hope of being reunited with a loved one after death. The opening lines establish that it is time to say goodbye and let go, but the tears that are shed cannot bring the person back. The main emotions present are depression and unholy thoughts, and the singer prays for salvation and pledges allegiance to God.
The chorus is the most overtly hopeful part of the song. It declares that the two will meet again somewhere in the other world and that death cannot keep them apart. The use of the word "re-unite" emphasizes that they were together before and will be again, suggesting the possibility of an afterlife.
The second verse returns to silence and bitterness, with the singer noting that there are things that remain unsaid. However, instead of repression this time, there is a sense of excitement or anticipation. The singer still pledges allegiance to God and reiterates the idea that they will be reunited.
Overall, "We Will Meet Again" is a song about grappling with loss and the possibility of an afterlife. It offers comfort and hope to listeners who may have experienced similar losses in their own lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Time to say goodbye
It is time for me to bid farewell.
Time for letting go
It is time to release my grip.
All the tears I cry
The weeping is ongoing.
Cannot bring you back
There is no way to revive you.
Depression comes slowly
An uninvited melancholy moves in gradually.
Aware of thoughts unholy
I am cognizant of my impure thoughts.
Salvation, I pray for
I seek rescue and deliverance.
Down on my knees I pledge allegiance (so help me God)
I profess my loyalty and submit humbly to a higher power.
We will meet again
Our paths will cross once more.
Somewhere in the other world
In another realm or existence.
You gave me life but how you're gone and I've to carry on
You bestowed me with vitality, but now I must soldier on without you.
Someday on the other side
In due time, we will reunite in another place.
Death can't do us part we'll re-unite
Even in death, we will be reunited.
Silent is the room
The space is free of sound.
Silent is my heart
My heart is still and soundless.
Bitter hours loom
Unpleasant times lie ahead.
Things remain unsaid
There are things left unexpressed.
Repression comes slowly
Gradually, my emotions are suppressed.
Won't care for thoughts unholy
I will disregard my impure thoughts.
Sensation, excites me
The prospect of feeling stirs my emotions.
Yeah, we will meet again
Yes, we will be reunited.
Deaths can't do us part we'll re-unite
Even in death, we will be reunited.
We re-unite, yeah, on the other side
We will reunite on the other side.
Yes, we will!
Affirmative, we will reunite.
Contributed by Benjamin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.