photos by Jun Aoki
Creator-Destructor Records today unloads the merciless new Show Of Force EP from Oakland, California-based IRON FRONT.
Inspired by brutal old-school death metal and NYHC/East Coast hardcore, IRON FRONT was formed in 2016 – originally as Dire Wolves until 2019 – and has since performed live across the greater Bay Area and toured across the Western US. Following several demos and singles, an EP on Transylvanian Recordings, and their independent debut album, the band was picked up by Creator-Destructor for the early 2024 release of their Hooked LP, with feedback like “a gut-eviscerating slam-fest of epic proportions” by Decibel Magazine, and Metal Injection writing, “IRON FRONT is here to throw you straight into the meat grinder… Equal parts hardcore throwdown bits and grinding death metal chunks…”
Barely a year after dropping Hooked, IRON FRONT delivers Show Of Force, a new EP capturing the ongoing progression of the band’s merciless output. With three new original tracks and a cover of Sepultura’s “Propaganda,” Show Of Force was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Zack Ohren at Sharkbite Studios (Machine Head, Suffocation, Darkness Everywhere) and completed with cover art by Braindeadzine. The album features guest vocals from several of the band’s allies, including Forced To Suffer’s Justin Thompson and Jarrod Doss on “Champagne Willie” and Boltcutter’s Riley Edmondson on “Brainstem Severing.”
Vocalist Topey Plourde states, “Show Of Force is our next step up. Further exploring the hardcore death metal sound from our last album, Hooked, this EP has three badass new tracks full of nasty riffs and crushing breakdowns, plus a cover of a classic from one of our favorite bands growing up. Recorded by Zach Ohren, and with features from our buddies in Boltcutter and Forced To Suffer, you’re going to want to give this a listen.”
If the slamming output of 200 Stab Wounds, Snuffed On Sight, Skinless, Bodybox, Internal Bleeding, Pyrexia, Dying Fetus, and Suffocation frequently abuse your playlist, IRON FRONT is mandatory listening.
IRON FRONT’s Show Of Force is now streaming everywhere and is available on 7” vinyl at the Creator-Destructor webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE.
Show Of Force Track Listing:
1. Scattered Teeth
2. Champagne Willie
3. Brainstem Severing
4. Propaganda (Sepultura cover)
A hometown release show for the EP is booked for February 7th, with regular live performances to be expected throughout the months ahead.
IRON FRONT Live:
2/07/2025 Victory Lanes – Oakland, CA *record release show w/ Fear Of Loss, Four Winds Away, One Last Prayer
IRON FRONT:
Topey Plourde – vocals
Jesse Dicruttalo – guitar
Cruz Garcia – guitar
Max Mahmood – drums
Dmitri Castillo Russell – bass
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