Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, the members of Iron Mind have been torchbearers for hardcore from down for nearly twenty years. Today, the band announce their third album, Test Of The Iron Mind, set for release June 13th through Flatspot Records (worldwide) and Last Ride Records (AUS). Aptly titled, the ten tracks on Test Of The Iron Mind nod to Iron Mind’s history, while clearly written with the band’s contemporary vision. Groove-driven riffs, stomping breakdowns, and confidently delivered lyrics make up the bulk of the record. Produced by Otis Bennie (AWOL), recorded by Sam Johnston at The Black Lodge, and mixed by Taylor Young at The Pit, the raw energy found on Iron Mind’s past releases is transformed into a massive, crisp sound that still instills a heavy conveyance.
Single “Solitary Realm,” out now, leads with primal drums and crushing guitars that make way for an anthemic expression of perseverance.
Vocalist Sam Octigan shares, “This is a song about recognizing the tendency towards self isolation and the necessity to move away from it or suffer further consequences, while acknowledging the difficulty in doing so.”
The video for the song, directed by the band and Jack Rudder, unleashes a high-powered performance from the band centered around the mysterious statue featured on the album’s artwork. You can watch the video HERE and stream “Solitary Realm’“ HERE.
Breaking out with 2009’s The Sun Has Set EP, followed by their 2011 debut album Hell Split Wide Open, Iron Mind signed to Flatspot Records in 2014 for the release of their self-titled LP. Building up a global name for themselves with intense live sets, they toured with bands such as Turnstile, Terror, No Warning, and Harm’s Way during that time. Shifting down a gear in terms of a full tour schedule and releasing new music, Iron Mind opted to simply play an annual show in their home scene for a number of years, the band returned in 2023 with Assume Your Ultimate Form. Controlled, collected, and motivated, the band thereafter entered the studio to record what would become Test Of The Iron Mind. With pragmatic lyrics, a sonic fury, and bridging their past and future, Iron Mind’s forthcoming album is set to be their most definitive.
Test Of The Iron Mind is available for preorder now through Flatspot Records and Last Ride Records.
Iron Mind is Sam Octigan (vocals), Neil Bloem (guitar), Akira Asahina (guitar), Josh Barclay (drums), and Dan Collins (bass).
