Vol. #234: Iron Bitch – “Nephilim” EP
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Rustbeltrockreview.com
Volume #234: Iron Bitch – “Nephilim” EP
Release Date: Friday, March 20th 2026
Greetings my esteemed Heavy Metal enthusiast. Glory to you and your house! It is with great pleasure that I sit down to tell you about the new music I have recently procured. It is the debut EP from Cleveland’s newest Super Group: Iron Bitch. Forged from veteran musicians who have played in acts such as Assault, Olathia, The Brakes and Rip Ryde just to name a few, this is a line up not to be missed. This band’s sound is essentially Traditional Heavy Metal, however due to the diversity and skill of the musicians involved, there are a lot of other elements that creep in. Their Vocalist’s range is impressive as she delivers huge notes. Imagine if you can, a hybrid of Heart’s Ann Wilson and Rob Halford of Judas Priest. I know it’s hard to picture that in your mind’s eye, but once you do you’ll be in the vicinity of what I’m trying to describe. After a number of well placed gigs over the past year and a triumphant performance opening the 2026 Shotgun Bowl, Iron Bitch has been at the top of the buzz around the Cleveland Metal scene. The hype is real and the expectations are high for this red hot quintet. So that’s where I come in, with my advanced copy of the “Nephilim” EP. This six song setlist is very well developed and sounds excellent for a debut effort. While a lot of bands rush to put out an early recording, Iron Bitch has taken their time and recorded properly, giving us a product that really packs a punch. It includes an opening instrumental, four originals and a cover of “Fast as a Shark” by Accept. All in all, it is a strong first effort for the band. Before I make any more remarks, lets examine those original songs.
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I love the title track “Nephilim.” The opening is intense, hitting with power, paving the way for the siren’s song Vocal performance. That voice comes in a takes immediate command, exerting it’s will upon the listener. The verses are fast and hard with bone saw riffs. The chorus is fantastically catchy with a piercing Vocal note at it’s end. Two thirds of the way through this composition, shit gets serious. Yes, the Guitar work is nasty at all points with monster riffage throughout... but here they unleash a devastating solo. It’s a seismic event that impresses thoroughly before bringing us right back to the chorus and then a final wailing note. It’s honestly pretty epic.
“Luminous Visions” is next. If you’ve missed the live shows, there’s a good chance you’ve still managed to hear this track. This is the first single from the EP and it is a beast. The song is driving, action packed and loaded with energy. With adrenaline soaked riffs and an intricate grooving Bass sound “Luminous Visions” kills. The chorus definitely worms it’s way into your skull. You’ll find yourself humming the melody to this one subconsciously succumbing to the spell of the Iron Bitch. Most impressive is the Guitar solo, which is truly incredible. It is a ripping, tearing, blazing piece of Rock N’ Roll magnificence that just goes on and on. The solo rolls out like a runaway truck and ends with screaming notes. Meanwhile, the leading lady unleashes another power packed performance. Her voice is white hot, and when “Luminous Visions” needs power, she delivers. At the climax of the song, it is her earthshaking notes that sets the bar so high, just before the song ends.
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Our next original composition is the bands flagship song: “Iron Bitch.” This one opens with a prophecy out of legend; a foretelling of the impending arrival of out heroine, the Iron Bitch. Once the prophet wraps up his little message, the real nasty business begins. A rugged and raw riff comes in slow and determined. It chugs along for a bit before the real ripper drops, a riff that will steal your very breath. The Drums and Bass explode and with them comes in the Vocal sharp and strong. When this song takes off, it does so with a resounding bang. The verse is a pulse pounding lesson in Metal intensity. The chorus like a tempest woven from sonic winds. Again the solos are transcendent, electric and magnificent. Simply put, it is another utterly bad ass track in a bad ass collection.
The last song we need to discuss is the EP’s second single, “Power and Steel.” This one starts up with a solo. Just pure, blistering ax mastery right out the gate. It explodes with a kinetic charge and it does so with sheer force. From the moment it blasts off, it devastates, it soars. It has highs and lows, peaks and valleys. This song is a sonic journey with many parts all stitched together into a great tapestry of Heavy Metal magic. By this point in the EP (and this review) you now what Iron Bitch is about. The speed and precision, the wail and the shred. This band is quite literally peak Heavy Metal firing on all cylinders and it is never better showcased then here on “Power and Steel.”
Catch Iron Bitch this Friday at No Class for the “Nephilim” EP Release Party.
So there you have it. That, as they say, is that. I have officially broken down the new Iron Bitch EP and now it’s time to sift through the pieces. So what more can I say? Honestly, at this point I feel like I’ve put it all out there. Iron Bitch is a force to be reckoned with. As a bonafide super group, they have chosen their members very well. They have sheer talent and power at every position. But talent alone doesn’t write great music and a beef cake line up doesn’t mean a damn thing if you don’t have some banger songs. Fortunately for Iron Bitch that is not a problem. This new EP proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt. The intro instrumental is cool, and the cover is well done to be sure. As for the four original songs, well, those are back breakers, plain and simple. This band is all firepower and the best part of it is this: They are just beginning. This is just a taste of what this band is capable of, and just the first glimmers of what they will create in the years to come. All I can say is, if they continue, the future looks to be very bright for the Iron Bitch. For fans of big, clean vocals, fast riffs, and epic solos... Check this EP out right away. You can catch Iron Bitch live this Friday, March 20th at No Class for the “Nephilim” EP Release Party.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Rustbeltrockreview.com
03/15/2026
Links:
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