Firewind - The Premonition Review
Posted by Dan Marsicano on 05.08.2008
Firewind returns with the band's first consistant lineup since its formation in 1998. Can Gus G. and company lead The Premonition to power metal glory or will it be shut down to the sword of cheesiness?
The Band
Apollo Papathanasio-Vocals
Gus G.-Guitar
Petros Christo-Bass
Bob Katsionis-Keyboards
Mark Cross-Drums
The Track Listing
1. Into The Fire-6:30
2. Head Up High-3:48
3. Mercenary Man-3:28
4. Angels Forgive Me-4:57
5. Remembered-3:38
6. My Loneliness-4:04
7. Circle of Life-4:48
8. The Silent Code-3:53
9. Maniac-4:55
10. Life Foreclosed-4:53
The Review
Greek power metal band Firewind has always been a band of revolving members. The only constant since its formation in 1998 has been guitarist Gus G. Gus formed the band more for himself than anything else. He got a bunch of friends together and made a demo, using Firewind as the band’s name, even though it was more of a showcase of Gus G’s talent than anything else. Firewind eventually became Gus G’s main project, with band members constantly joining and leaving. In 2005, with the addition of Apollo Papathanasio on the vocals, the band became a full unit, and to this day, the lineup has been the same.
The Premonition is Papathanasio’s second album with the band and shows the band continuing their trademark power metal sound, while adding a few modern touches to their songs. The band seems to be gelling much better together and the songwriting is as solid as it has ever been, with Papathanasio pulling out a fantastic performance.
First time listener may be fooled into thinking that the album will be a thrash metal slam-fest with some power metal elements with “Into The Fire.” The song is one of the best on the album, with fast paced verses and a catchy chorus that is both cheesy and memorable at the same time. Gus G also slays on the guitar, with a two part solo that starts out with the keyboard and guitar interplaying before Gus shredding his way to the finale. It’s a monster of an opening track that gets the listener geared up for the rest of the album.
What a surprise it is, then, to find out that the next couple of songs are more commercial sounding. “Head Up High” and “Mercenary Man” are both hard rock songs that have a power metal edge to them, mostly in the keyboard work and the so-cheesy-it’s-catchy choruses.
The album mostly stays with the hard rock/power metal hybrid, but, on several occasions, returns to the thrash metal sound of the first song. “Remembered” is like taking an early Megadeth song and slapping it with some keyboards. The solo is an instant classic from Gus G, starting out with a slow melodic sound that would make babies fall to sleep (in a good way) before pulling a 180 and sounding like Yngwie J. Malmsteen decided to show up and work his way in.
Of course, we couldn’t have a power metal album without the ballad and “My Loneliness” satisfies an unwritten power metal rule, which states:
All power metal albums shall have one ballad that is cheesy, filled with 80’s sounding keyboard work, and over-the-top emotional vocals
Yep, this rule is right there along with:
Every Dragonforce songs must be over five minutes long so that there is enough time for the overlong guitar solos followed by the keyboard solo that sounds like a Nintendo is getting raped.
Seriously though, “My Loneliness” is a decent ballad, but you’ve heard one power metal ballad, you’ve basically heard them all.
(Oh, and yes, “Maniac” is a cover of the Michael Sembello song from 1983’s “Flashdance” and it’s as tacky as the original, just a bit heavier. Still though…it’s “Maniac”)
I did rag on The Premonition a bit, but honestly, the album is really good, especially in the instrument department. Gus G. pulls out some of the best solos of his young career and pulls out some of the fastest material in Firewind’s history. Petros Christo can hardly be heard, which is a damn shame, since he is a decent player. The only time he is clearly present is in the melodic middle section of “Remembered.” Bob Katsionis draws a fine line on the keyboards between power metal cheesefest and traditional progressive metal. The intro to “The Silent Code” is a prime example of this and is one of the best keyboard pieces he plays on the whole album. Mark Cross is a good drummer with no real apparent faults to his playing, utilizing timely fills when needed.
If you hate power metal, The Premonition won’t turn you into a fan. However, if you do enjoy power metal, but can’t stand bands like Dragonforce, Firewind is the band for you. They are technically proficient enough without shoving it into your face and the power metal elements are tastefully done without going over the edge. The Premonition isn’t an album of the year candidate, but it is a solid power metal album that improves on the faults of the last album and shows that maybe Gus G should stick with this lineup for a little bit longer.
The 411: The Premonition will get your blood pumping, your fist in the air, and your head banging like it's 1988...because its a power metal album. That's what it's suppose to do and that's what Firewind successfully accomplishes with their new album. Power metal fans will find much to like about The Premonition and everybody else will either enjoy it as well or wonder how metal fans can enjoy music with keyboards that are just so unbelievably 80's-like.
