13/12/04

FIREWIND / FORGED BY FIRE

I have to admit to my shame I hadn’t paid much attention to Greek Power Metal band Firewind before, yes I know of them and had even heard a couple of tracks but that was as far as it went, this situation is all about to change January 2005 with the release of their 3^rd CD (and debut for Century Media) "Forged In Fire".

When I put the CD on the music leapt out at me and this powerful Metal monster came thundering out of the speakers, WOW, it reminded me of classic 80’s Scorpions and more recently Dream Evil, when the harmonized, Melodic, fluidic lead breaks were flying round inside my head it sounded so similar to the guitarist in Dream Evil that I reached for the sleeve and sure enough there was the name I expected see, one Mr. Gus G, who has apparently now left Dream Evil to pursue Firewind full time.

Right from the powerful opening track "Kill To Live" they feel that they have to and don’t even give you time to catch your breath until the baladesque last track "Land Of Eternity". The vocals are multi layered and faultless, the keyboards are powerful and dynamic without being over bearing and Gus’s lead breaks! I’ve already told you about them. The instrumental track "Feast Of The Savage" has a guest soloist by none other than Marty Freidman.

This truly is a magnificent CD, I feel sorry for all the other Power Metal bands that will have releases after this one, as they will have to be truly spectacular to even match it. Best tracks; don’t make me choose, please, worst track is easy, none. The proper release will include a video and multimedia section.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 44 mins + 10 Blistering TRACKS