Review FIREWIND ‘Stand United’

Greek guitarist Gus G. founded Firewind in 1998 and has kept the band alive alongside other projects. The band still delivers well-forged metal and it feels like the addition of Herbie Langhans to the line-up has given the band an extra boost.

Langhans was already part of the 2020 album ‘Firewind’, which marked a kind of restart for the band in this new formation. With ‘Stand United’ the next step is taken and what sounds like a concept album isn’t exactly that. The title could also refer to the unity of the band’s re-arranged line-up, with Langhans joining as a new vocalist. The record definitely reflects this, and in addition to singer and guitarist we should not forget long-time Firewind members Petros Christos and Jo Nunez. The two provide the driving pulse of the album, giving both the album and the songs an energetic push.

The album’s most unusual song is a cover version of The Romantics’ 80s hit ‘Talking in Your Sleep’. Firewind has given it a more metallic shine while staying close to the original.

The rest of the album features thunderous metal with intricate guitar parts and excellently executed vocals. The record is always equipped with a well-balanced level of melodies, all represented by songs like the powerful opener ‘Salvation Day’ and the faster-paced ‘Fallen Angel’. The anthemic ‘Land of Chaos’ and primal energy of the title track are also noteworthy.

Firewind’s ‘Stand United’ is a superb metal album that showcases the band’s trademarks, with the four-piece standing united on this highly anticipated release. Superb metal is what you get when having taken the decision to press the ‘Start’-button.