Feature: IronWrath Interview

As promised in the 40th Anniversary print edition of Heaven’s Metal Magazine, here is the full-length IronWrath interview that Jimmy Lamar Sorrells did with C.G. Ryche.

How did IronWrath come out of the Holy Right days?

Holy Right was formed out of a band called Freewill with Sean Silas and Steve Bell back in 1985. I got in the band around 1986, two months before we cut the album Stand as One. IronWrath was forged in 1988 out of the desire to ditch the clichés, echo chambers, and cliques… we wanted to create a project that would make a solid argument for faith, freedom, and family in the lives of hurting people seeking answers. IronWrath is here to kick the hornet’s nest of tyranny and lies and be a beacon of light in a world losing its way.

Where did your unique symphonic-metal style come from?

No one ever went to hear a show; you go to see a show. IronWrath wanted to make a unique experience that was far beyond a good drum beat or guitar riff… we wanted to create in-depth compositions of stories that would take you on a journey down the rabbit hole of reality. Of course, this journey starts with having music that lends itself in a lucid way to play as the soundtrack for your imagination. This means writing music where the lyrics have depth, contemplation, and can be interpreted in many different ways, with music that’s very layered and produced with a lot of hidden gems throughout its listening.

Your first live show was incredibly tight. How did you pull that off?

Thank you so much for that compliment, we appreciate it and work very hard to pull this off. We do everything we do for the fan and the concertgoer. If you’re paying money for a ticket, we want to make sure we exceed expectations. The way we accomplish “IronWrath’s Master Storyteller,” besides the technical aspects, is that we run the show on a weekly basis in its entirety. This is from the introduction of the film to the bows at the end, with all transitions included. We mimic the lighting and stage conditions and unplanned pitfalls to replicate the live performance. This helps us to run the show at a top-tier quality, which is what the fans are paying to see.

You found a new singer just before that show, right?

No, we had a singer coming into Immortal 2024 that had been working with the band for a while; this year, Immortal 2025, we will be bringing in Steve Braun, who is new to the project and has an amazing vocal pedigree. We are looking forward to working with Mr. Braun.

The synced video show was wild. Who came up with that idea?

Thank you for your kind words. The idea of “IronWrath’s Master Storyteller” was a concept that I brought to the project, and everyone loved the idea. This was very ambitious in scope and took us two years to go from development to finished project. The members of IronWrath are big fans of Pink Floyd and Roger Waters’ masterpiece The Wall, which was a major influence. I’ve been involved in developing several Vegas-style productions in the past and worked with companies like Disney, Hollywood Pictures, and the NFL. At the end of the day, it was the goal of IronWrath to create an unprecedented live show that would catalyze a new vision of entertainment that needed to be experienced to fully appreciate.

How has the feedback been since the show and album release?

The support for IronWrath has been amazing since the release of our album Master Storyteller in 2023, and our performance at Immortal in late 2024. We are just getting started though…

Who are some of your favorite Christian metal bands?

I can’t speak for the boyz, but for me personally, I don’t listen to a lot of Christian metal. Bands I’m impressed with are Disciple, Skillet, and Fear Not. I love what Les Carlson is doing—such an amazing performer. Noe mentioned he’s a fan of Impending Doom.

Biggest musical influences overall?

This is a really big question, so please allow me to answer it properly.
The biggest influence on IronWrath overall would be Pink Floyd. In performance, projects like Tool, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Peter Gabriel. Musically, there are many: Dream Theater, Disturbed, Marilyn Manson, Metallica, Killswitch Engage, etc. In music production: Def Leppard, Linkin Park, Avatar, Queensrÿche.

Producers that influence our musical decisions in the studio: Bob Ezrin, Mutt Lange, Alan Parsons, David Foster, Quincy Jones.

Lyricists that inspire me: Sting, Don Henley, Steve Taylor, Roger Waters, and Peter Gabriel.

Graphics inspirations: Pink Floyd, Boston, ELO, and the British graphic design company Hipgnosis.

Artists who changed the music landscape: Van Halen, Pink Floyd, Linkin Park, KISS, Tool, Roger Waters, Queensrÿche, Toto, and Journey.

If you could tour with any band, who would it be?

Our Music Odyssey, IronWrath’s Master Storyteller, is meant to be a residency or stand-alone project because of its technical requirements. Artists I’ve heard passed around the inner circles of the band to share the stage with would be Dream Theater, Tool, Def Leppard, Disciple, Skillet, Metallica, and Roger Waters.

Are you working on new material yet?

We have new music sitting in the wings, but right now we’re focused on completing IronWrath’s Master Storyteller as a standalone film for streaming platforms. We have just finished a new piece of music that’s been added to the show called “The Journey,” which will make its debut July 27th at Immortal Fest.

What makes Immortal Fest special to you?

The bands, the people, and the venue. It’s truly an extraordinary event that we’re humbled to participate in.

Any message for fans at this year’s fest?

IronWrath’s 2024 performance at Immortal was an abbreviated version of our show due to time constraints and technical difficulties. We are happy to announce we’ve been given the green light to present IronWrath’s Master Storyteller in its entirety and uninterrupted. We promised to bring you a concert experience like no other.

What does being a Christian mean to you personally?

I’ve been a Christian for over four decades… Sean and Steve the same. I’m humbled that Jesus hasn’t given up on me, and His grace amazes me. I am so blessed to know the Creator. Acknowledging God for who He is and seeking Him every day of my life is the greatest decision of my existence, and I am eternally thankful.

How can the Christian metal scene support IronWrath?

This is another question that requires an in-depth answer. First off, you can support IronWrath through prayer and sharing our music and website with the masses. IronWrath is a grassroots organization; we don’t have a record company behind us or big money. We rely on you, the fans, to promote us.
IronWrath doesn’t ask for donations or money, but offers ways to support us financially through our lifestyle clothing line IW-ROCKWEAR, purchasing physical copies of our music, or a really cool way to support us is to become part of our IronWrath V.I.P Members Only Experience. This can be found on our website, and like Patreon, it’s a viral backstage pass to all things IronWrath.
Lastly, support the ecosystem of music. What I mean by this is we all need to support podcasts, publications, social media groups, and radio shows that support artists like us. We are all in this together, and together we can change the world!

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