Iron Fire

The origins of Danish power metal outfit Iron Fire trace back to the mid-1990s, when vocalist Martin Steene—still active with Misery at the time—began asserting greater artistic direction within that group. After steering the project through successive personnel shifts and temporary monikers, including a short-lived spell as Decades of Darkness, he settled on the name Iron Fire.

During summer 1998 the freshly configured unit, drawing inspiration from the brisk yet tuneful style of German power metal acts such as Helloween, tracked its inaugural demo CD. Copies of the self-titled recording were sold directly to supporters while the band circulated it among labels, ultimately securing a contract with Berlin-based Modern Music. In spring 2000 the group issued its first full-length effort, Thunderstorm, which earned favorable notices and a loyal following in metal circles; the German EMP catalogue noted that “Thunderstorm presents a mixture of hard up-tempo songs, energetic mid-tempo tracks as well as traditional metal hymns.” A rendition of Running Wild’s “Under Jolly Roger” appeared on the album, reinforcing Iron Fire’s ties to the German power-metal tradition.

Once Thunderstorm was out, Steene once more reshaped the roster ahead of the next recording. The revised lineup—featuring guitarists Kristian Hegelund Martinsen and Martin Slott alongside drummer Martin Plenge and bassist Jakob Lykkebo—tracked the sophomore album On the Edge at Jailhouse Studios under the guidance of producer Tommy Hansen, whose credits include Pretty Maids and Helloween. Century Media issued On the Edge in 2001.