Review: Fury & Firewind

Underworld, Camden (March 30^th, 2024)

Reviewer / Photographer: Phil Honley

Doors at 6pm tonight with a 10pm curfew which suits me fine when reliance on public transport is key. Things kick off early and Fury hit the stage at 6:45.

Fury is a Heavy Metal band from the West Midlands and it is obvious that they have a love of the old school metal of Iron Maiden and Metallica. The band has fallen under my radar which is somewhat surprising as research tells me they have four studio and one live album under their belts; ‘The Lightning Dream’ (2014), ‘Lost In Space’ (2016) ‘The Grand Prize’ (2020), and latest album ‘Born To Sin’ (released March 2022).

The band line up features the tasty voice of Julian Jenkins, bassist Becky Baldwin (Becky also performs with Danish heavy metal band Mercyful Fate and was with Hands off Gretel until they went into hiatus post pandemic), Tom Fenn (Also sits behind the kit for Brassick) on drums, newest member Tom Atkinson (Also plays with Vice) on guitar and the powerhouse Nyah Ifill on co-lead vocals. I am not a fan of backing vocals but this young lady shares lead vocals with Julian Jenkins. She also injects a lot of energy into the band in the live environment and it has to be said, this co-vocal arrangement sets them apart from most bands on the circuit.

The band give us a powerful forty minute set with eight numbers, four of which are from ‘The Grand Prize‘ album which will shortly find its way into my record collection, ‘Burnout‘ being the pick of the bunch. I will definitely be checking them out next time they are in town.

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Setlist:

If You Get To Hell First

Galactic Rock

The World Is Mine

Prince Of Darkness

Lost In Space

Dragon’s Song

Burnout

Road Warrior

Firewind, yet another band falling under my radar, is a Greek power metal band formed in Thessaloniki in 1998. The group was originally a small project created by guitarist Gus G to showcase his demo, ‘Nocturnal Symphony‘, in 1998. Firewind later became a full band over three years later when they recorded their debut album, ‘Between Heaven And Hell‘. To date, the band has released nine studio albums and has been met with international success. The setlist on the night included many from these albums and also showcasing latest release ‘Stand United‘ (review here).

Firewind start their set with two numbers from latest release, ‘Stand United‘, ‘Salvation Day‘ and the title track. From the moment Gus G strikes the first chord it is more than clear that I am possibly the only one in what must be close to a sell out audience that has never seen this powerhouse band before. The repeated chant of Firewind, Firewind, Firewind continues between each of the seventeen numbers performed here tonight. I believe this may have been the last night on the band’s current European tour and they appear to be overwhelmed by the crowd reaction tonight.

Herbie Langhans is a great front man and what a voice he has. Gus G is a phenomenal guitarist (ex-Ozzy Osbourne) and reminds me of Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt, both in stage presence and guitar style. Jo Nunez (ex-Kamelot) is a true force of nature on drums. Add Petros Christodoulidis to the mix with his effortless bass lines and you have a band that is a joy and privilege to see up close and personal.

Herbie Langhans put in a real shift on vocals and it was only fair that the band gave him a short breather and demonstrated just how good they were with the superb ‘The Fire And The Fury‘. The band included numbers from eight of their ten studio albums and I look forward to exploring the full catalogue in the not too distant future.

Herbie Langhans brings the main set to a close when he asks the crowd to dance whilst he covers Michael Sembello‘s ‘Maniac‘ with style, both vocally and with his Elvis like dance moves. They were never going to be allowed to leave the building without an encore and ‘Ode to Leonidas‘ and ‘Falling to Pieces‘ brought an excellent night to a close.

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Firewind Setlist:

Salvation Day

Stand United

World On Fire

Destination Forever

Destiny Is Calling

I Am The Anger

Wars Of Ages

The Fire And The Fury

Longing To Know You

Mercenary Man

Chains

Allegience

Fallen Angel

Rising Fire

Maniac (Michael Sembello cover)

Encore

Ode To Leonidas

Falling To Pieces

©All photographs are copyright of Phil Honley – Gigsnapz. They may not be altered or used without express permission.