Fireland

Surely a band that managed to get a position on a Dragonforce tour before even releasing their first album must be good right? Well I don't know who added them to the bill but they weren’t from this planet that's for sure. Fireland are one of the worst bands to claim metal status that I have ever heard. You may think that I'm being a bit harsh, and maybe I am, but something about this band irritates me immensely and I can tell you exactly what it is. It's the sense of arrogance that I get from their debut self-titled album that I hate so much about these young lads. They think they are a lot better than they are; there's no denying that.

It starts nicely, a peaceful piano tune opening into a solid, if a little boring, riff but the fun ends there as the vocals arrive with a sickly vibrato which reeks of an over-boosted ego. You may wonder how I can tell the bands character from their music and this I can't quite explain in words, you would have to listen to it, but I sure as hell don't wish to force that upon any of you! The best way I can describe it is by using the horrific talent show "The X-Factor" to reiterate my point. If any of you have watched it you will understand; this album – the vocals in particular – reminds me of when someone turns up claiming to be the next Britney Spears and then begins to sing like a garrotted horse. The vocals aren't as bad as that, but they feel forced and what comes out would better accompany an Oasis album.

There is not much more I can say about the music...once you have heard the first track you have heard them all. That is the truth of it. There is one consolation for the band, however, what they lack in imagination is helped by the good guitar solos. I refuse to use a word stronger than that because I have heard many, many better but at least it means that the band have one less thing to completely redo if they ever wish to make it big in the metal world. The only song I can say I enjoyed at least a little is called "My Eternal". The song carries a certain amount of harmony and, a small amount anyway, some individuality. The songs are all bland...that is the problem.

Overall...ok, maybe I was a little out when I said that they were among the worst bands I had ever listened to, there have been plenty that physically made me ill, but in any case the album is not a good one. It is important for a new band to have confidence, without it they will get nowhere...have too much of it, however, and they will be disliked whichever turn they make. Not an album to be recommended...stick to Firewind whose new album, incidentally, is amazing.