Surely with a name like that we’re in for a cross between Firewind and Dragonforce? Well…not really, there’s a bit of Firewind in the music but thankfully Belgian Metallers Fireforce stop well short of the fast-as-you-can theatrics of Dragonforce. Actually, given that there is a bit of Brainstorm’s Andy B. Franck in the vocals, I could take the opportunity to name-check his one-time other band and state that Fireforce’s sound might be somewhere between Firewind and Symphorce, which in hindsight would have been a better opening line to this review granted, but still a bit misleading as there is of course much more to this band than that.
Does anyone remember 80’s Belgian Metal label Mausoleum? Well, Fireforce remind me of an updated version of the kind of Riff-driven Heavy/Power/Speed Metal that featured in many of their releases. Mix with that a fair scattering of current label-mates Steel Prophet and Mystic Prophecy (all wrapped up in another top-notch R.D. Liapakis/Bob Briessinck R.O.A.R. Production) and you begin to get the picture. The vocals, courtesy of Nightmare guitarist Matt Asselberghs (making his Fireforce debut), are in the classic Metal style, powerful and intense, driving home memorable vocal lines and choruses, delivered particularly well. It must be added too, that for a relatively unknown vocalist, Asselberghs puts in very mature and noteworthy performance.
The drums and bass are as thunderous as you could want, with those excellent riffs balanced perfectly on top. As it should be with Metal in this time honoured Heavy/Power/Speed style, it’s just as important as the songs and vocals, that the guitar also needs to be the star. And with a dazzling blast of soloing waiting around the centre of most tracks as well as great lead-work sprinkled liberally throughout, this is certainly not going to disappoint those of us who enjoy Heavy Metal as it always was and occasionally still is. “Rage Of War”, Fireforce’s fourth album to date, is set to delight existing fans and launch the bands profile ever upwards.
(8/10 Andy Barker)
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