Search - Firewind :: Allegiance

A Predictable-yet Shining example of Power Metal

avgvstvs | Omaha NE | 11/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's power metal. A genre whose goal is to keep alive all of those old-"stodgy" metal stereotypes of the 1980's, meaning swords, sorcery... and Dungeons and Dragons in your basement.



In many respects the resurgence of power metal over the last 5 years or so is both a blessing and a curse.



I say this as a fan, and not as a hater, but this album will not blow you away with anything you haven't heard before--especially if you're an old veteran of metal, meaning you know who Iron Maiden is.



This band plays it safe, but again, the walls of Power Metal are clearly defined: Classically inspired riffs; Check. Operatic (defined as falsetto male vocals or guys with really tight pants): Check. Shredding guitar riffs: Check. Insane leads: Check. Slightly cheesy keyboards inspired by Rush and Steve Miller Band: Check.



What this album isn't: Dragonforce. But, who the hell is?



Actually compared to the entire genre of Power Metal, this one is by far the one I can listen to over and over again without it getting too repetitive (or cheesy. Well... THAT's relative!)



If you're a fan of PM and haven't picked it up yet, BUY IT.



"

4.5 stars - Firewind takes it to another level

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 03/05/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"2006's Allegiance is the fourth album from Greek power metal band Firewind. Firewind, of course, is a side project of Dream Evil, Nightrage, Mystic Prophecy and now Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G. Once again, Firewind went through some major lineup changes prior to this album, most notably replacing vocalist Chity Somapala with Apollo Papathanasio (previously of Time Requiem and Faith Taboo).



As much as I enjoy the band's earlier albums - and they're all pretty solid - Allegiance is the first Firewind album I felt compelled to play more than a couple of times. Gus G's playing is as good as ever, so maybe it's the Fredrik Nordstrom production job or Papathanasio's vocals. He sounds much better here than he did with either Faith Taboo or Time Requiem; more at home somehow. The whole album just seems tighter and more focused, and the songs stand out more, particularly "Falling to Pieces," "Breaking the Silence" and "Dreamchaser."



Again, I totally enjoyed the early Firewind albums, but Allegiance is the first in a run of Firewind albums that I'd consider essential power metal releases. Between the powerful melodies, dynamic vocals, well-written songs and oh yeah that brilliant guitar work (and I say that as someone who's not a guitar virtuoso fan), Allegiance is an album that should appeal to just about any power metal fan."