What a revelation! Melodic metallers FIREWIND are back with a revamped line-up and a monster of a new album, symbolically entitled Allegiance. After the release of their highly acclaimed Century Media debut album and third album all-together, 2005s Forged By Fire, the Greek band led by young guitar hero Gus G did a string of support shows for HammerFall, some European festival appearances as well as club date with Nevermore in London, before realizing that some member-changes were unavoidable.
As Gus G decided to leave his other musical activities (playing in Nightrage, Mystic Prophecy and Dream Evil as well as appearing as stand-in guitarist for Arch Enemy at the Ozzfest tour throughout the Summer of 2005) rest in favour of concentrating on FIREWIND, he quickly managed to announce Apollo Papathanasio (ex-Majestic, Time Requiem) as new vocalist and Mark Cross (ex-Helloween, ex-Metalium) as new drummer for the band.
Encouraged by a stronger drive of creativity and unity than ever before, FIREWIND decided to visit Sweden to record Allegiance at JM Studio and then mix at Studio Fredman together with Fredrik Nordström (HammerFall, Arch Enemy, Opeth), before heading to Peter in de Betous studio Tailor Maid Productions (Dark Tranquillity, Meshuggah, Hellfueled) for a powerful mastering exercise.
The resulting eleven-track effort will undeniably satisfy the needs and desires of every class-loving metalhead out there, spanning the best elements of modern melodic hardrock, powerful epic metal, super-catchy and effective hooklines as well as irresistible lead-guitar technique.
The up-tempo opening tracks Allegiance and Insanity guaranty a great introduction for the high-quality listening to follow before the albums first single, Falling To Pieces (for which acclaimed director Patric Ullaeus - whose credits include Lacuna Coil, In Flames, Dimmu Borgir, etc. - just shot an amazing video clip) kicks in to fully take your breath away.
Furthermore, the atmospherically rocking Breaking The Silence (featuring a remarkable vocal duet between Swedish-based singer/songwriter TARA and APOLLO.
The sweet tones of the semi-ballads Deliverance and The Essence, the classic powerhouse Till The End Of Time or the melodic album-closing with Where Do We go From Here? will give you a full overview of how versatile, dynamic and highly entertaining this album shines through.
Allegiance is set to doubtlessly catapult FIREWIND onto the elite of the scene, so better pledge your allegiance!
FULL ALBUM STREAM HERE
