It’s always great to have the opportunity to follow a band’s steps so close as we’re doing with Gus G’s Firewind. It’s been three albums since 2017’s “Immortals,” going throught 2020’s “Firewind,” and finally the alive pièce de résistance 2023’s “Still Raging.” For you that is landing on planet Earth right now, Gus G was one of the chosen to be the axeman to no one but the madman Ozzy Osborne.
Well, this “Stand United” is a pretty different album that Firewind’s fan is used to. Here the band tries new tricks to make their music more modern to the 21st century fan. As a matter of fact, the tricks they try here are only a step away from their 1980’s driven American Power Metal with lots of Old School Heavy Metal slants. “Stand United’s” warming track “Salvation Day“ uses some electronic effects my dear child of the night will find with Judas Priest’s “Turbo Lover,” the track that almost drag the band away from their die-hard fandom. For my surprise, and of course, their fans’ there is a cover of the new wave band The Romantics “Talking in Your Sleep,” one of the one hit wonder bands in 1984. The song doesn’t fall too far from the tree and the only thing that is dissimilar is a strong guitar here and there. To some extent, my guess is that in “Stand United” Firewind are trying to get near to their European peers which use some keyboards and some electronic effects. No problem with at all because the band keeps their Accept and Dio influences intact with tracks as “The Power Lies Within” and “Falen Angel.” Die-hard Firewind’s fans won’t be disappointed at the band due to tracks as the album tittle “Stand United” with its carnage and fearless drumming. There are songs, though, that follow an American Hard Rock direction as “Land of Chaos.” Ironically, the track is much more related to Mr. Madman’s Hard Rock driven album which is 1986’s “Ultimate Sin.” There, I said it.
If “Stand United” will be Firewind’s “Turbo” we don’t really know. However, the album shows a band that has no fear of sounding far from their usual music. The album is a step towards American Hard Rock, if you know what I’m saying. If the band will keep this direction it’s something nobody knows but them. Let’s wait. By the way, Mr. Gus G is very, but very shy here with few guitar leads all around the album.
Track Listing:
- Salvation Day
- Stand United
- Destiny is Calling
- The Power Lies Within
- Come Undone
- Fallen Angel
- Chains
- Land of Chaos
- Talking in Your Sleep
- Days of Grace
Watch “Salvation Day” official music video here:
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