Fires of Babylon
Metal Heaven / Soulfood – 2008
By Adam McAuley
A engaging display of power metal theatrics is what Fires of Babylon offer effectively. The crisp nature of their riffs can easily be likened to the fiery depths of hell. Their sound is constrictive and makes for a suitably strong approach. Chunky riffing makes for a reasonably furious songwriting style. What they lack in pomp they more than compensate with a quick writing type. At times the furious pacing of the album can be likened to works like Painkiller by Judas Priest, which blend a fierce traditional approach with perhaps a few power metal tendencies.
Assertive performances within the musical department also make a presence with a vocalist Rob Rock recalling the operatic tendencies of Messiah Marcolin of Candlemass, for example. However, he doesn’t descend into the quirky nature that other singers from the power metal genre might tend to though. Instead he sort of moves smoothly by at a nice even pace throughout. The instrumental performances on display show an ability to play intensly, but not over-indulgently. Fires of Babylon thus conjure images of strength and courage amongst their ranks and they hold their entire package together tightly with a great lenience towards the religious principles of Christianity. What are the downsides of the album to be found? Well, the lack of orchestration might have made for a slightly more interesting power metal platter than what could be found, but taken as a more pristine traditional metal work, we can appreciate its rigidness to some extent. The album has a flair towards mediocrity as well, with no tendencies towards being greatly memorable at times.
Overall I would recommend this s/t release to fans of traditional styled metal with small tendencies towards the power metal genre, but not enough over the top tendencies to completely please fans of the latter type.
Official Fires of Babylon Website
Official Fire Stream Website
Official Metal Heaven Website
Metal Heaven / Soulfood – 2008
By Adam McAuley
A engaging display of power metal theatrics is what Fires of Babylon offer effectively. The crisp nature of their riffs can easily be likened to the fiery depths of hell. Their sound is constrictive and makes for a suitably strong approach. Chunky riffing makes for a reasonably furious songwriting style. What they lack in pomp they more than compensate with a quick writing type. At times the furious pacing of the album can be likened to works like Painkiller by Judas Priest, which blend a fierce traditional approach with perhaps a few power metal tendencies.
Assertive performances within the musical department also make a presence with a vocalist Rob Rock recalling the operatic tendencies of Messiah Marcolin of Candlemass, for example. However, he doesn’t descend into the quirky nature that other singers from the power metal genre might tend to though. Instead he sort of moves smoothly by at a nice even pace throughout. The instrumental performances on display show an ability to play intensly, but not over-indulgently. Fires of Babylon thus conjure images of strength and courage amongst their ranks and they hold their entire package together tightly with a great lenience towards the religious principles of Christianity. What are the downsides of the album to be found? Well, the lack of orchestration might have made for a slightly more interesting power metal platter than what could be found, but taken as a more pristine traditional metal work, we can appreciate its rigidness to some extent. The album has a flair towards mediocrity as well, with no tendencies towards being greatly memorable at times.
Overall I would recommend this s/t release to fans of traditional styled metal with small tendencies towards the power metal genre, but not enough over the top tendencies to completely please fans of the latter type.
Official Fires of Babylon Website
Official Fire Stream Website
Official Metal Heaven Website
