Review: Firewind – Still Raging

AFM Records (September 1^st 2023)

Reviewer: Jason Hopper

Right from the start, I must admit that I am not a Firewind  fan, but that does not mean that I don’t want to be.  So why do I find myself reviewing a live album from a band that I am not familiar with? Two reasons. First, I find that when checking out Power Metal bands, live albums sometimes resonate with me more than studio albums. There’s a certain feel to the live setting, with the amps fired up and the crowd singing in unison, that can be lacking with a studio release. The second reason are the phenomenal first two singles.  ‘Orbitual Sunrise’ is a monster of a track and my favorite aspect of Power Metal, less reliance on speed and more of a thick and heavy groove. Next up was their release of the cover of ‘Maniac’, from the Flashdance Soundtrack. I’ve heard several covers of this song, but nothing as good as this. Gus G’s fiery arpeggios, the crowd singing the chorus sans singer, and singing so loud it’s clearly audible through the stage mics. The best live cover of any song I’ve heard in years. With those reasons, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to check out the band.

What I found was some truly powerful songs that in most cases sounded better in a live setting then they do on their studio counterparts. Take ‘Maniac’ for example. There’s a lack of energy when it was recorded for ‘The Premonition‘ album. It comes off as too precise and clinical. In the live setting, with the roar of the crowd and Gus throwing in guitar fills, the song comes to life. Other incredible sounding tracks like ‘Head Up High’, ‘Destination Forever’, and ‘Ode to Leonidas’ sound sonically superior in the live setting with the gloss of the studio gleam stripped away allowing the crunch of the guitars, the crash of the drums, and the energy emitted from the crowd to showcase the might of the band. Nothing ruins a live album more than artificial crowd noises inserted into a “live” album. You can hear and feel the energy of the crowd as they sing and chant along and they become a part of the band, enhancing each song in a way that cannot be duplicated in a studio.

There are a few songs here that are equalled by their respective sources. ‘I Am the Anger’, ‘The Fire and the Fury’, and ‘Devour’ sound great in both the studio and live setting. What I did notice is that certain studio albums, due to either producers or equipment used, have varying sonics. Great songs that lost their edge in the studio fair much better in their live renditions.

A few minor points of contention. I will state until the day I die that no one ever desires to hear a drum solo on an audio only recording. That track should have been omitted from the audio release. Air cannons are utilized sporadically throughout the show. It makes for a great visual for the show, but the microphones pick up their sound every time they are fired. This is a little distracting when listening to just the audio of the show, especially on the last track ‘Falling to Pieces’.

I am glad I chose to check out this album as my official introduction to the band. I discovered some great songs as well as two other live albums that I will immediately seek out. Firewind  fans are sure to get this but for those that have never listened to a full album by them or felt something was lacking in what they heard, these songs have never sounded better and it would suit you well to give these songs another go.

Tracklist:

CD 1

1. Welcome to the Empire
2. I Am the Anger
3. Head Up High
4. Devour
5. Destination Forever
6. Orbitual Sunrise
7. World on Fire
8. Drum Solo
9. The Fire and the Fury
10. Ode to Leonidas

CD 2

11. Overdrive
12. Mercenary Man
13. Lady of 1000 Sorrows
14. Break Away
15. Between Heaven and Hell
16. Rising Fire
17. Maniac
18. Hands of Time
19. Few Against Many
20. Falling to Pieces