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October 12, 2008 |
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01. Allegiance
02. Insanity
03. Falling To Pieces
04. Ready To Strike
05. Breaking The Silence
06. Deliverance
07. Till The End Of Time
08. Dreamchaser
09. Before The Storm
10. The Essence
11. Where Do We Go From Here?
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"Allegiance" is the new killer album from this international project formed eight years ago by the six-string Greek master Gus G (ex- DREAM EVIL, currently with MYSTIC PROPHECY and NIGHTRAGE). FIREWIND thus far, and for an unknown reason, has mostly grown in the shadow of Gus G's other projects. To date, FIREWIND's lineup still boasts some of the finest names in Metal including new members such as drummer Mark Cross (ex-AT VANCE, ex-HELLOWEEN, ex-METALIUM) and vocalist Apollo Papathanassiou (MAJESTIC, TIME REQUIEM).
Unlike any of the aforementioned projects, FIREWIND's style seems to be over polished throughout the eleven tracks that constitute this album; the sound is ultra-clean, adding the overall old-school impression. "Allegiance" represents one of the most impressive mixing works ever performed by Studio Fredman main-man Frederick Nordstrom (ARCH ENEMY, HAMMERFALL, OPETH) and involves an amazing level production blessed by the very skilled Peter in de Betou (DARK TRANQUILITY, MESHUGGAH, HELLFULED).
This disc will definitely please the fans of melodic Power Metal with gems like "Till The End Of Times" and "Dreamchaser" as well as the aficionados of old-school Metal like they used to make it some twenty years ago with the DIO inspired "Ready To Strike" or "Falling To Pieces" with an intro that will probably give a strong feeling of déjà vu to anybody even remotely familiar with AC/DC's catalogue. The styles present on this disc are very diversified, easily involving elements as wide as gothic influences with the addition of female vocals on "Breaking The Silence" as well as folk influences on "Deliverance", proving that the group is gifted enough to be able to switch gears from one pace to the other without any difficulty. Just in case you're still not convinced, you might want to give the instrumental "Before The Storm" a chance for a perfect display of virtuosity.
FIREWIND's new album is one of the strongest melodic Metal releases of 2006 and will definitely improve the scenery of the already well-off European scene. If, like me, you’ve been waiting for the perfect compromise between veteran acts like METAL CHURCH and newer talents such as TAD MOROSE, "Allegiance" is a must! One of the classiest Metal albums ever released.
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