Thrash metal Yanks ‘Fueled by Fire’ have been active since 2002 releasing a 4 track demo ‘Life, Death and FBF’ then in 2006 another demo ‘Spread the Fire’ was recorded, thankfully the demo got them a gig at Los Angeles hotspot ‘Whiskey-a-go-go’. A self funded album followed that year with the same title. So here we are 6 years later with the release of their second album ‘Fueled by Fire’ However, if you were lucky enough to see them on their European tour with Violator, you might have been one of the 200 people who managed to swipe a presale of the album.
We start off with “The Arrival” and what an intro it is! Blasting guitar which can only be described as ‘Awesome’. The only vocal part on this is a high pitched wail and would make even Schmier of Destruction green in the face! The solo towards the end of the track is splendid! Fingers everywhere!
‘Rising from Beneath’ starts as it means to go on, heavy and brutal! The punk styled vocals fit surprisingly well with the thrash sound. The middle section is jam packed with solo superbness and bouncy riffs and the fast Slayer-like drumming is immense with its old school sound.
The beginning of the third track ‘Within The Abyss’ made me giggle with the scream at the beginning which sounded to me like he’d stood on a nail. However, back to the seriousness (serious stuff this thrash – pout face stuff, think Phil Anselmo!) The way the vocalist mixes the punk vocals with the high pitched screams is quite clever, and the ‘bleurgh’ sounds here and there add to the magic of it and again another ‘we’re not worthy’ moment with the guitar solo.
‘Unidentified Remains’ is killer! A perfect track for a perfect pit! Fast, furious and violent! The album title track “ Plunging into Darkness’ features some pitiless, ball grabbing, high pitched vocals and the whole track is set out perfectly including the galloping drumming and what seems to be the best solo on the whole album.
Moving onto the intro to the second part of the album with the track ‘Evoke’. The calm yet spooky acoustic guitars and chilling keyboard parts with added wind sounds (no not that kind of wind). ‘Evoke the Curse’ has a more original thrash sound due to the vocals being less Punk and more in your face thrash. Another bouncy part toward the middle section and a little vocal dual and did I mention this guitarist is one talented bastard?
Even though most of the tracks sound pretty similar (as with a lot in this genre) there’s something quite unique about these. Like in ‘Mass Infestation’ with its old school 80’s feel then the more up to date sounding last track ….. this one at least has to be heard, the screams at the beginning, champion!
I haven’t got one negative thing to say about this album. It’s one of the best thrash acts I’ve heard in a while. So if you’re into your heavy mosh pits and throwing men around the crowd then go buy this… you won’t be disappointed!
(Charlene Rance 8/10)
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