I can’t believe it is now four years since Greek band Firewind released their awesome self-titled album in 2020. It is now over 20 years since I got into the band and adding in Gus G’s solo works I always have something of his to indulge in. This is Firewind’s tenth album and continues with the same line up as the self-titled album. During my two decades plus of following Gus and Firewind I can honestly say there isn’t an album in Firewind’s discography I don’t like. Each offers its own nuances and of course the incredible fret gymnastics by Gus and this latest offering is no different.
In some respects there is a continuation from the self-titled but within the nine new songs the band has opted for a much catchier approach, something the band had on their stellar ‘The Premonition’ album. Every song on ‘Stand United’ is different with each being bolstered by the fantastic vocals of Herbie Langhans who I rate only second to Apollo’s long contribution to the bands albums. You can clearly hear that the collaboration between Gus and Herbie is one that is extremely fruitful, elevating every tune to stratospheric proportions. Opening the album is ‘Salvation Day’ a keyboard adorned number that offers accomplished guitar work, of course, alongside a rampant and rousing chorus burst for you to sing along to. The title track is trademark Firewind riffing, galloping drum work sits alongside Gus’s inimitable guitar blazing as his leads on the album are a step beyond virtually any modern guitarist you care to name.
I cannot overstate just how melodic and catchy this album is, each track capturing the essence of Firewind breath-taking song writing but adding massive amounts of melody as ‘Destiny Is Calling’ so ably demonstrates. The song is embellished with riff changes making it a standout on an album of standouts. There are no filler tunes here, just song after song of pure Firewind bliss as the album continues with the slower and more atmospheric ‘The Power Lies Within’. Its magisterial qualities lie within its infectious riffing but also the soaring vocal lines as ‘Come Undone’ returns the album to more traditional Firewind styling. Bordering power metal in places the song has some keyboards added for texture that makes the song that bit more lavish and luxurious.
I have always said that Firewind are a heavy metal band as opposed to a power metal one, they bridge the gap between the two genres sublimely and whilst you may disagree with me, one aspect you can’t argue with is just how good Gus and his cohort are at writing exceptional metal songs. ‘Fallen Angel’ is a favourite on the album for me, seemingly a tad heavier it is rampantly catchy and possesses a ripping solo. Likewise with ‘Chains’ which being a tad slower gives the vocals another opportunity to dazzle, which of course they do.
Another catchy number arises via ‘Land Of Chaos’ where the riffing is bolstered by one melodic hook after another. Now Firewind have never been afraid to do a cover tune or two in the past and this album is no different as the band has rendered a version of The Romantic’s 80s classic ‘Talking In Your Sleep’, and what a fine job they have done too. The core melodies are intact but the tune has been given the Firewind sonic makeover and is wonderfully executed leaving the album to end with ‘Days Of Grace’. Firewind have never shied from penning a ballad or two and here the climax to the album is in semi-ballad territory, not quite like songs such as ‘My Loneliness’ or ‘Lady Of 1000 Sorrows’ but certainly in that vein. Powerful and emotive the song offers soaring vocal lines and one of the album’s best solo breaks to the point of poignancy and sadness but done only as Gus can. It does intensify as it progresses, hence my semi-ballad descriptor but as a whole the tune is sombre yet heart-warming as you are left with no doubt that Gus and Firewind show no signs of stagnating whatsoever.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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