Ironcross was formed in 1976 in Turku, Finland.
Founding members were Esa "Gona" Leinonen (drums and
vocals), Kimmo Vanne (guitars), Pekka "Body" Nummela
(guitars) and Tero Ovaska (bass). The band began with
cover songs but soon they started to compose a
material of their own which was mainly written by
Gona. At some point Tero Ovaska left the group and
Pekka "Body" Nummela started playing bass. The new
second guitarist for Ironcross was Jari "Mizz"
Lundqvist. Tero Ovaska later resurfaced with bands The
Fabrics and Pepe Le Moko. Ironcross made a couple of
demos and they were signed by a little record company
called Master/Turun kasettituotanto.
The first Ironcross single "Let's Get Down to
Business/Harder Than Stone" was released in the early
autumn of 1982 and the band started making their first
lp "Bloodhounds".
Before the recording of "Bloodhounds" took place
Ironcross added ex-Noitawaimo skinsman Esko "Eddy"
Mänty-Sorvari into the line-up. After "Bloodhounds"
was recorded the band also recruited the keyboard
player Kari "Case" Laihonen into fold.