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Brother Firetribe: Diamond in the Firepit

AOR/Melodic Rock

4.0/5.0

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Spinefarm Records
Words by Craig Hartranft,  29.05.2014

Here's another band I feared fell off the face of the earth. Finland's Brother Firetribe haven't been heard from since their 2010 DVD Live at Apollo, and haven't had a studio recording since 2008. It appears they have regrouped to bring us their third album, Diamond in the Firepit.

Brother Firetribe: what's so damn funny?

Even in their absence little has changed for Brother Firetribe. They're still crafting fine AOR melodic hard rock with more than a few Westcoast references. While their debut album False Metal (re-released as Break Out) will be hard to beat, this one is generally solid throughout. Brother Firetribe has always had a knack for blending melody, rock groove, and catchy hooks in their arrangement with wizard-like magic. Then they flavor it with smooth synths, soaring guitar and Pekka Ansio Heino's pitch perfect vocals.

When these parts come together, they are devastatingly entertaining. For Better or For Worse, the first single, turns equally on the quick rock groove and arresting refrain. The ballad Desperately is almost Journey-like in it's smoothness and passion for love lost, but not forgotten. Later, with Tired of Dreaming and Reality Bites, Brother Firetribe can't get a little edgier, thanks to sharper riffs and a deeper groove, yet still not compromising on melody and vocal harmonies. I'll admit I was a bit uncertain about the middle part of the album. Edge of Forever, Hanging By a Thread, and Trail of Tears didn't quite have the same impact upon me as the other songs here. But in the context of the entire album, they're still fitting and fans will appreciate them. Bottom line: it's good to have Brother Firetribe back, and Diamond in the Firepit is another fine and entertaining platter of AOR melodic rock. (Album art could have been better, though.)

Brother Firetribe - For Better Or For Worse

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

It's good to have Brother Firetribe back, and Diamond in the Firepit is another fine and entertaining platter of AOR melodic rock.

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Three decades on and still going strong is the iconic progressive rock band, The Flower Kings, founded by veteran multi-instrumentalist and composer Roine Stolt. Since 1994, The Flower Kings have been known ... [ Read More ]