Review: Iron Saviour – Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy

Perception – March 27^th, 2026

Reviewer – David Pearce

Iron Savior are a German band who have been together since 1996. In that time they have toured extensively and recorded and released 15 albums. ‘Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy‘ is their 16th and is an entire album of cover versions of well known pop songs that came from fan requests for more reworkings of familiar tracks after they tackled ‘Crazy‘ by Seal and ‘Sweet Dreams‘ by The Eurythmics. This time, they take on Blondie, Phil Collins, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and A-Ha amongst others. Iron Savior‘s current line up features Piet Sielck on guitar and lead vocals, Piesel Kustner on guitar and backing vocals, Patrick Opitz the newest member , who joined last year, on bass and backing vocals and drummer and percussionist Patrick Klose.

The album starts with the Hi-energy rush of ‘Fame‘ originally by Irene Cara. It proves to be a brilliant start to the album as the guitars of Sielck and Kustner turn the original opening into a riff that could take a place on any heavy rock album. The drumming of Klose is fast and furious and Sielck takes the vocals in a different direction to great effect. It’s not a remake, it’s a reimagining. The second track is definitely a more obscure track, but it gives a good indication as to their range of influences. ‘All I Need is a Miracle‘ was originally by Mike and the Mechanics and they do it proper justice, although it’s definitely one that will have listeners searching the internet for the original.

I had never heard of the third track ‘When the Rain Begins to Fall‘ but as it’s by Jermaine Jackson and Pia Zadora I think I am safe in assuming that it’s a very different treatment! Then it’s into a quintet of 80s classics including one of my all time favourite songs. I’ll tell you which one when I get to it! This run of nostalgia starts with ‘Maniac‘ by Michael Sembello from the film ‘Flashdance’. The initial drumming and percussion by Klose starts the track off superbly and the bass of Opitz gives the tune real rock heft. ‘Take On Me‘ is perhaps the most recognisable tune on the album and here Iron Savior give their most faithful recreation of the original. It’s a hybrid between their style and A-Ha’s original delivery that works well.

‘Relax‘ takes a similar path but it’s absolutely magnificent, thumping out of the speakers with real energy and a sense of fun from the first note. Sielck makes a fantastic job of the vocals and I actually think his delivery tops the original. We’re back to Irene Cara and the film ‘Flashdance’ for the seventh track ‘What a Feeling‘ and once again they absolutely nail it. I have this vision of Sielck going to the German version of Blockbuster and borrowing the VHS every week! Now, onto the track that is one of my favourite songs, ‘Against All Odds‘ by Phil Collins so for me it has a lot to live up to. To be fair, the bass of Opitz and the drums of Klose give the song a real urgency and a touch of class, but I will always prefer the original treatment.

‘Separate Ways‘ by Journey is another song I had never heard before listening to this album, but it’s really good fun and is given a great treatment by the band. Now here’s a song I never expected to find on a rock album. ‘Surburbia‘ from Pet Shop Boys is one of their greatest tracks and that’s one hell of a high bar for me, because they are a group I have always loved. This version gives it something extra especially with the thundering guitars and fantastic vocals. It’s a proper winner and probably my favourite song on the album. I bet Neil Tennant would enjoy this one.

Another favourite of mine is up next ‘Here Comes the Rain Again‘ by The Eurythmics. Once again the heavier arrangement gives the original synth based tune a new lease of life. In fact, listening to it in this version it just reminds me how incredibly strong the tune is. It’s the second part of a 1-2 punch with two of my tracks on the album, back to back. ‘She’s Like the Wind‘ was originally by Patrick Swayze apparently, although I’ve never heard it before, perhaps because it was originally by Patrick Swayze! It’s a good song to listen to and another one where Sielck shows the quality of his vocals and the range he possesses.

Back to a synth classic with ‘I Just Dies In Your Arms Tonight‘ an 80s track by Cutting Crew. Interestingly, the treatment reminds me at times of ‘Big in Japan‘ by German synth band Alphaville. This brings me to the next track ‘Forever Young‘ which was originally by Alphaville. They do their countrymen proud with the tightest performance on the album with all four musicians seamlessly fitting together and producing a stunning piece of music. It is every bit as good as ‘Surburbia‘ and ‘Here Comes the Rain Again‘, taking its place at the top table on this album.

‘Since You’ve Been Gone‘ is one of the few tracks that was originally a rock number and Iron Savior really do it justice with a performance as good as Rainbow’s. The penultimate track is ‘Call Me‘ originally by Blondie which was a pretty heavy track to start with. The guitars, drums and bass are dialled up to 11 and the vocals are grittier and completely suited to the song. It’s yet another triumph. The final song ‘Catch Me I’m Falling‘ is a complete mystery to me as I can’t even place it in a particular genre, but it’s great to listen to and ends the album with one I will have to look up online!

You may think that there will be better albums this year, and I may listen to one or two of them, but I know one thing, there won’t be a rock record in 2026 that is as much fun as ‘Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy‘ by Iron Savior. I take my hat off to them, and actually I reckon they could do a brilliant version of the ‘Safety Dance‘!!

Tracklisting:

1. Fame
2. All I Need Is A Miracle
3. When The Rain Begins To Fall
4. Maniac
5. Take On Me
6. Relax
7. What A Feeling
8. Against All Odds
9. Separate Ways
10. Suburbia
11. Here Comes The Rain Again
12. She’s Like The Wind
13. (I Just) Died In Your Arms
14. Forever Young
15. Since You Been Gone
16. Call Me
17. Catch Me I’m Falling

Line-up:

Piet Sielck (vocals, guitars)
Joachim “Piesel” Küstner (guitars)
Jan S. Eckert (bass)
Patrick Klose (drums)

Web Links:

Official Website

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