CD review FIREWIND ‘Firewind’

Gus G. and Firewind have been in the business for 20 years now and after such a long time the guys release a self-titled new album, a new treat of melodic metal.

‘Firewind’ is like a kind of new beginning, considering the fact that long time member Bob Katsionis left the band and Henning Basse is no longer behind the mic, making Firewind to a quartet where vocalist Herbie Langhans takes over the vocal duties.

With the new album Firewind go back to the beginning which is also due to Langhans’ voice being similar to that of Stephen Fredrick, the first Firewind singer.
This time we don’t have to do with a concept album, even if ‘Orbitual Sunrise’, ‘Longing to Know You’ and ‘Space Cowboy’ three songs are thematically related. The trilogy is about loneliness, being away from family and reflection on the state of the earth, all told from the perspective of an astronaut and embedded in a sci-fi story.
One song that stands out musically is ‘Overdrive’. The song is very much influenced by Black Sabbath in of the Tony Martin era and you feel very much reminded of ‘Headless Cross’. The song certainly stands out from the rest but fits very well into the context of the album. ‘Overdive’ is a great variation within the frames of melodic metal a la Firewind, an unexpected and well-placed twist.

‘Firewind’ is a kind of new beginning and at the same time a return to the roots. Considering all that, the name couldn’t be better chosen. Horns up.