After a very good 'Immotals' in 2017 and a new change of line up because the new singer of the group is now 'Herbie Langhans' (who participated to the 'Avantasia' and 'Ayreon' projects), the 'Greeks' of 'Firewind', led by their guitarist 'Kostas Karamitroudis' (nicknamed 'Gus G.') released a new album under the name of the group, as if 'Gus G.' wanted to return to the essentials of heavy metal of the begining. And after a first listening, it is indeed this feeling which prevails and one could also suspect it due to the absence of keyboard player, the guitar of ‘Gus. G. taking a prominent place.
From the first title, 'Welcome to the Empire', after a remarkable introduction to the guitar of 'Gus G.', the Power machine starts up with an impressive firepower and 'Decour', which follows, is not outdone with 'Herbie Langhans' which provides a great performance in a powerful register and 'Gus G.' which continues to 'knitting' with his guitar. In the same vein we can cite, ‘Break Away’, ‘Perfect Stranger’ or ‘Kill The Pain’. In the same vein we can cite, ‘Break Away’, ‘Perfect Stranger’ or ‘Kill The Pain’. With 'Rising Fire', the tempo is a little slower but it's always the impression of power which prevails and makes me think of the English of 'Saxon', just like the title which follows 'Orbitual Sunrise' with a chorus that reminds me of 'Surrender' of 'Rainbow'. We can also cite the remarkable mid-tempo 'Overdrive' with its heady chorus, the hit 'Space Cowboy' and its introduction close to the Germans of 'Scorpions' and again the ballad 'Longing to Know You' with its classic chorus but so effective to add the best metal ballads.
In summary, this last baby of the Greeks of 'Firewind' is a real dynamite in bar and 'Gus G' gratifies us with powerful and effective compositions which are immediately tamed and returns to the origin of this formation which destines this album to an audience that likes a power metal that goes to the basics... | |
