Putting the bias aside for a second, my two cents...
I never loved Seven Kingdoms in the past. Never cared for the first album, and always thought the last one was alright. There was something missing in my opinion, and I could never really say I truly loved the music. I never made that a secret to Camden either. He always told me not to worry. The next album would be a huge leap in comparison, and that they'd make up to me.
Then about 4 months ago Camden sent me the finished product for "The Fire is Mine", when the album was even still supposed to be called something else.
Almost from the first listen, I could tell he was right. This album is a thousand miles beyond the last in my opinion. This is truly a kick-ass female fronted power metal record. Sure, everything has been done in power metal, but at least to me, this is mostly a fresh of breath air in the genre. New influences are popping up (especially from a certain German band they toured with a couple years ago, right Camden?
), Sabrina sounds stronger than ever... it's overall a much more mature band. And at one point I told Camden, "I want to hear Seven Kingdoms write a song based on "such and such" , that sounds like "this, this, and that." Two months later, that song was written. Suck it, bitches. I got my god damn song.
Do I think this is the best power metal record ever, the one that's going to make me forget all other power metal records? No. However, every time I listen to this album, it reminds me why I love the style so much, and that's something I had been missing.
Speaking solely as a music fan (not as part of their management/booking team), I congratulate Sabrina, Camden, Keith, Aaron and Kevin for a fantastic record that's ending the year in my top 5. I hope everyone gives these guys a chance. Think about it; it's female-fronted power metal that even Zod likes. You don't see that everyday.