Iron Savior - Unification (1999)

Alrighty, time to go again, and it's 1999, with loooots to listen to. Power metal had really taken hold by now, with new bands appearing from all over the place (even the southern hemisphere occasionally), but also "older" ones making appearances.
German band Iron Savior debuted in 1997 with a reasonably good, self-titled release as they started their story of a space station with a mind of its own, and they up the ante here.  The song writing is much more strong this time around, with some excellent and consistent music throughout.  I still can't help again think that it could have done with a bit more variety, even though I can enjoy some records without much of that. I look back now at Unification  and find it hard to pick out too many songs that particularly grabbed me - the victory-claiming "Unchained" is the one that comes to mind at present. And yet I enjoyed it pretty much throughout, with its fast riffing and Piet Sielck's excellent vocals.  Thankfully, he does most of the singing - he certainly has a better voice than Kai Hanson.
It's also nice to see, again, photos of the band that don't have them scowling or brooding every which way.  Unlike most rock peformers, Iron Savior actually look like they're enjoying themselves.

***1/2