BURNING POINT - review added 24th March 2009
Album Review: Empyre (2009)
For fans of: power metal... and Brainstorm playing prog
Burning Point was formed in late 1999 in Oulu in Finland. Empyre is their fourth album and the second to be released through the Metal Heaven label.
The press release refers to the title being only one letter away from Queensryche's 'Empire'. Maybe this was deliberate, as singer (and guitarist) Pete Ahonen has an obvious twang of Geoff Tate on the very edge of his vocal register. The main body of his voice, however, is much meatier and grittier and boasts bundles of character. He comes across in a similar way to Andy B. Franck of Brainstorm and Symphorce... and that's no bad thing.
The remaining musicians, Pekka Kolivuori (guitars), Jukka Jokikokko (bass), Jussi Ontero (drums) and Pasi Hiltula (keys) do a solid job of backing up the big man's voice. Okay, none of their work stands out as exceptional, but that is more to do with their absolute top-end consistency than lack of talent. Throughout the album there is a deluge of fat riffs, well judge keyboard solos, face-smacking bass and spandex-tight drums. It all sounds great and, even if it isn't going to rupture your kidneys with excitement, it'll get so damned close you may have to pay your doctor a visit.
The title track is (ignoring the instrumental intro) a muscular way to start the album. The chorus is utterly brutal (in a fun way) and offers a very proud and macho ambience. It makes you want to grab a battle axe and shield and strut around like an agitated warrior. The band need to make a comedic video for this track. It would be awesome.
'Fools Parade' has an adrenaline-rich build-up through the verses, although it really doesn't prepare you for what comes next... The chorus is gargantuan! If the title track made you dress up and play with medieval weaponry, this'll have you turning into the Incredible Hulk and practicing the shot-putt with armoured personnel carriers.
The following song, 'Was It Me' is just as good. Rather than a testosterone overdose, 'Was It Me' offers a slow, surprisingly chilled ballad. The guitars and bass refuse to subside, and the song is frankly still pretty heavy, but the emotional aspect oozes through with utter class.
Best song honours however are reserved for the final track (bonus tracks aside). 'Only The Wrong Will Survive' matches the humongous choruses from earlier with a cleverly orchestrated verse structure that makes the song a blast from start to finish. The result is theatrically proportioned and so blessed with layers it's like hearing 3 or 4 songs playing at the same time.
Empyre is a very good album. It has three or four excellent songs and plenty of others boasting above average talent. The performances are all superb and the writing takes special credit for it's depth and variety... and for weaving in the battle-metal sound without constantly referencing dragons, mystical lands and burly men entering combat with rustic swords and weathered armour. There may be better power metal albums out there, but they don't come along that often. Enjoy!
Check out... Pete Ahonen's vocals. He owns this record big time.
Track List:
1. Intro
2. Empyre
3. Manic Merry Go Round
4. Face The Truth
5. Fool`s Parade
6. Was It Me
7. Walls Of Stone
8. Sacrifice
9. Cruel World
10. Blinded By The Darkness
11. Only The Wrong Will Survive
12. I'll Be Yours
Label: Metal Heaven
Artist's websites: Burning Point , MySpace
