FIREFORCE - review added 14th March 2011
Album Review: March On (2011)
For fans of: Heavy Metal... and standing on a rock near a flying ship
Belgian band Fireforce - Erwin Suetens and Steve Deleu on guitars, Flype on vocals, Metalpat on bass, and Tom Heijnen on drums - was formed toward the end of 2008 from the remains of the metal band Double Diamond. The band's debut EP "Moonlight Lady" came out in the spring of 2009, and "March On" marks the band's first full studio release.
Featured on "March On" are Greek guitarist Constantine (Mystic Prophecy, Descending) who adds a bunch of guest solos, producer R.D. Liapakis (Mystic Prophecy, Suicidal Angels, Orden Ogan), and C. Schmid who mixed the album alongside R.D. Liapakis. The excellent artwork is by Eric Philippe (Rhapsody, Riot, Mob Rules, TNT).
The sound of Fireforce is LOUD heavy metal. This is a band build to be cranked to max volume on a very powerful stereo. It isn't necessarily a hugely technical album, although the musicianship is certainly plenty good enough, but what these guys lack in Satriani-esque twiddling they make for in volcanic-esque ferocity and absolute heaviness. The drums are biblical, the guitars and bass have a huge gnarly sound that will eat 1000W speakers as a light afternoon snack. The vocals are good enough for this style of music, though they aren't going to give the likes of Danny Vaughn any sleepless nights.
Best moments include the boisterous opener 'Coastal Battery', the strangely sing along 'Firestorm', the stupidly (brilliantly) heavy and quick 'Moonlight Lady', the monstrous 'Annihilation', the rhythmically awesome 'Fly Arrow Fly (Crécy 1346)', and the insanely good instrumental final track 'Metal Rages On'.
In Summation:
With bigger better choruses, and perhaps a touch more refinement to the singing, this album could have been huge. As it is it kicks ass in a massive way and really is very enjoyable. Now, time to go and stop my ears bleeding...
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. Coastal Battery
02. The Only Way
03. Firestorm
04. Horus (Bringer Of Order)
05. 1302 – Battle For Freedom
06. Moonlight Lady
07. Annihilation
08. Fly Arrow Fly (Crécy 1346)
09. Mona Lisa
10. Hold Your Ground
11. Born To Play Metal
12. Metal Rages On
Label: 7Hard
Artist's website(s): Fireforce | MySpace | Facebook
