| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA & New Zealand |
| Year Released: 2021 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 60% |
| Running Time: 47:39 |
New Swingle & Thompson Ordained album Firestorm is acceptable. Yes, the group’s Roxx Records summer of 2021 sophomore effort is bland and underwhelming as that previous sentence implies. Similar to 2020 full-length debut The Thunder That Rocks The World (also Roxx), Firestorm maintains a straightforward hard rock basis while occasionally branching out into heavier metal metal territory (traditional, doom, power, etc). Talent is also not lacking, accrediting presence of veteran lead vocalist Dale Thompson, better known for his work in Bride and side projects too numerous to mention, and cohorts rhythm guitarist Randy Swingle and lead guitarist, bassist and drummer Erick Nelson. Lyrics remain unabashedly Christian.
Key component of songwriting, however, fails to impress. Problem revolves around a repetitive element to the Firestorm material found in a few too many songs lacking the notable hooks and melodies to hold up under repeat play. A sameness feel resonates throughout Firestorm as a result, revealed in a near identical ‘thump-thump-bump-thump-thump-bump’ bass rhythm that sounds copied and pasted from one song to the next. Upshot is a work in Firestorm to see a band not varying its songwriting to extent it ought, or at the very least not making the musical improvements most make between their first and second albums.
Musically, opening cut “Crash ‘N’ Burn”, a rousing power metal anthem with complementary double bass and Nelson’s fantastic lead guitar work, and third “Violent Skiez”, of like animated form but faster with intermittent spoken word vocals, fall victim to those lack of hooks and melodies in question. I gave either song every opportunity but neither stands apart to extent I am inclined to return for repeat listen.
I want to praise second song “Firestorm” as a mid-paced doom metal stomper but underpinning its span is as noted pumping bass rhythm that can grow monotonous with continuous play. It would be acceptable if it had appeared on a single song but again it is interspersed throughout the album and almost at random (see instrumental moments to “Crash ‘N’ Burn”). Including fifth “Are You Ready?”, another slower doom like piece with bruising guitars and ire to spare but also home to a refrain to repetitive to be near unlistenable.
It is not all bad in that albums first half comprises a pair of very fine numbers beginning with “Fire ‘N’ Brimstone”, opening distant and moody only to explode with a cacophony of emotion as near limitless intensity aligns with Thompson’s gutsy vocal performance. Also includes “Christ The Destroyer” with its speed based boogie hard rock aligning to see hooks galore and brother Troy Thompson make guest appearance with his signature bluesy lead guitar work.
Albums finest moments take place at start of its second half. “American Hero” is my favorite as a Bride style blues rocker aligning earthy guitars and churning low end with the gritty rasp of guest vocalist John Schlitt (Petra). Apocalyptic metal of “He Who Holds The 7 Starz” is a potential song of the year candidate with its at times sublimely melodic and others decisively heavy hitting semblance, while I identify with “7 Thunderz Roar!” as a viable companion track but slower with trouncing verse sections with double kick drum and exultant refrain basking in the worshipful.
A step down takes place over final three cuts. “When Darkness Falls” exudes tons of youthful energy alongside a victorious message, but it is all for naught from the same monotonous bass rhythm and structuring so similar to “Are You Ready?” as to be redundant. Closing things is a pair of three and a half minute throwaways in “Burning Bright” and “Unlimited Skiez” that lack the type of engaging proclivity to fully draw me in.
Lyrics remain a SATO strong point, so similar to my The Thunder That Rocks The World review, I am going to set aside a separate section for them. Several songs bring an apocalyptic feel, including “Violent Skies”:
Starz of heaven fell to the earth
The 1st angel has sounded
There was fire & hail mingled with blood
An angel from heaven took
The dragon down to the darkened cavern
Bound him with chains for a thousand years
The heavenz will burn on fire
Darkness, blackness & the tempest
Are destroyed forever
- and “Fire ‘N’ Brimstone”:
And the same shall drink
Of the wrath of God
Come out of her my people
The sword I will send
Every knee shall bow
No more death
Every tongue and every breath
Fire ‘n’ brimstone
Judgment unto victory
Fire & heat & light producing the change
Again, “When Darkness Falls” speaks of the uplifting:
Take the Sword of the Spirit
Into the fight
Were going to win this battle tonight
With our God on our side
Heaven will open up wide!
It’s not easy to run the race
It takes so much faith
You can make mountains move into the sea ff you just believed!
“American Hero” is written in tribute to our veterans:
You’re so brave, will to give your life
So others can be saved
Every day & night
You carry the starz & stripes
With all your heart
Into the fight, every day & night
We’re so proud of you, American hero
For what you do!
“Christ The Destroyer” is aptly entitled:
Despised and rejected by men
A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief
He bore our agony, we esteemed Him
Stricken, smitten of God & afflicted
He was wounded by our transgressions
Bruised by our iniquity upon Him
Upon Him was the chastisement
That made Him whole
Firestorm equates to an inconsistent and incongruous effort that I do not see myself revisiting often. Again, it is not a lack of talent when noting how Dale Thompson, Randy Swingle and Erik Nelson are all strong performers. However, a turnoff is the trite songwriting found in a few too many songs that fail to bring the hooks and melodies to engage with repeat listen. That said, Firestorm is not without its choice songwriting moments (noting top tracks “American Hero” and “He Who Holds The 7 Starz”) while lyrics remain a strong point (alongside eye catching cover art and solid production). My advice to the group moving forward is to hire an outside songwriter and/or producer to take a critical looks at its material to filter out any repetitive or redundant elements ahead of entering the studio.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Crash ‘N’ Burn” (3:41), “Firestorm” (3:52), “Violent Skiez” (4:15), “Fire ‘N’ Brimstone” (3:57), “Are You Ready?” (3:51), “Christ The Destroyer” (4:20), “American Hero” (3:33), “He Who Holds The 7 Starz” (5:15), “7 Thunderz Roar!” (4:02), “When Darkness Falls” (3:48), “Burning Bright” (3:34), “Unlimited Skiez” (3:33)
Musicians
Dale Thompson - Lead Vocals
Randy Swingle - Rhythm Guitars
Erik Nelson - Lead Guitar, Bass & Drums
Additional Musicians
John Schlitt - Lead Vocals
Troy Thompson - Guitars
