Firewind Greece

""Days of Defiance" has all the things that I like about power metal. There is focus on melody and pompuousness (although we are not dealing with epic power metal as such), and there are catchy choruses galore that you cannot help but to sing along to. Just check out tracks like "Chariot", "Embrace the Sun", "Heading for the Dawn" and "Kill in the Name of Love".

Another thing that there is focus on is the musicianship itself, and there are some virtuous moments on the album - especially in "SKG" which is pretty much a vulgar display of power (metal) in that it displays how technically skilled these musicians really are. There is, happily, a distinct lack of cheesiness on this album, and nowhere does my cheese-o-meter react to the music. Actually, I think that there is a good and heavy punch to Firewinds music on this album, and there are even a couple of thrashy elements now and then. In addition, they also draw on classic metal in places, and Iron Maiden and Judas Priest seem to have served as primary sources of inspiration.

There's only one ballad, and those who have read some of my other reviews know that I am not a ballad-hater, but certainly very picky when it comes to ballads. The ballad in question is Broken" and I really like it. It is simple, touchy, catchy and just the way a rock ballad should be.

The vocalist, Apollo Papathanasio (Apollo! Now that's a f*cking heavy metal name!) has a big and powerful voice, which at times remind me of Graham Bonnett's efforts in Rainbow's "Down to Earth". I have been a fan of Graham Bonnett for a long time, and now I am a fan of Apollo, too. Recommended to fans of power metal, classic metal and even fans of rock music in general.

(review originally posted at metalmusicarchives.com)"