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Brother Firetribe: Feel The Burn
Brother Firetribe - Feel The Burn Album Art

Brother Firetribe: Feel The Burn

AOR Melodic Hard Rock
5.0/5.0

While their album releases have been a bit spotty over time, Finland's Bother Firetribe is soon approaching a milestone since their 2002 beginnings: 20 years in the music arena. While that is still two years off, Brother Firetribe returns with their fifth studio album, Feel The Burn. The album marks another milestone with the departure of founding guitarist (and Nightwish member) Emppu Vouorinen who is replaced by freelance musician and guitarist Roope Riihijarvi.

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Brother Firetribe

History and personnel changes aside, Brother Firetribe continues to be consistent master musicians of AOR melodic hard rock, and Feel The Burn is no exception. Go ahead, name the usual musical suspects and every Firetribe song has them all. These include vocal and guitar harmony, superb melody and rock groove, a layer of tasty synths, self-evident catchy hooks in the arrangements and refrains, bristling guitar solos, and clean melodic lead vocals. AOR melodic hard rock is a classic, traditional, and consistent genre, and Brother Firetribe simply makes it potent and relevant for the pandemic generation.

As for the album and songs, you will not be disappointed in the least. Every song is terrific. For some classic upbeat rockers with some significant synth embellishment, check out Rock In The City, I Salute You, or Arianne. For Night Drive the synths combine with voice before the rhythm section moves in and the song rises to a significant arena anthem. Alternatively, for the rising rock ballad Love Is Beautiful, synths become the symphonic layer that adds both color and density to the song, complimenting the swelling vocal arrangement. The song moves to a roof raising crescendo with the anticipated soaring guitar solo. Otherwise there's some kick ass, yet AOR-infused, rockers with Chariot Of Fire, Ticking Away, and Battle Ground.

All said, Feel The Burn finds Brother Firetribe at the top of their game, offering listeners superb and quintessential AOR-driven melodic hard rock. Except no substitutes, and put this album on your short list for album of the year alongside Perfect Plan's Time For A Miracle. Quite recommended.




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The Bottom Line

Feel The Burn finds Brother Firetribe at the top of their game, offering listeners superb and quintessential AOR-driven melodic hard rock. Except no substitutes, and put this album on your short list for album of the year.

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