One of the first pieces of advice songwriters are given, simply, is to tell a story. Among the greatest pieces of music and the finest songs are all story-driven – it anchors to the ground but allows for complete exploration of the wider themes within the story itself. There’s joy to be had when listening to a song with a strong narrative, but it’s elating when there’s a whole concept album to sink your teeth into. Yet whilst a lot of artists will create their own fantastical stories featuring gore, flying whales and epic galactic battles amongst a vast constellation of supernova stars (now that’s an album concept, right there), nothing compares to tales of battle from our own history.
Greece’s Firewind haven’t graced our ears with new music for five years now, yet return with their eighth opus in ‘Immortals’ and center its concept around the epic battles of Thermopylae (the battle which saw the fall of Sparta’s famed 300) and Salamis (the sea-based battle that led to the Grecian’s victory over the invading Persians). Blood-pumping topic, right? Death, glory, blood, dirt and bone; ‘Immortals‘ has the lot and more, all whilst wrapped in the signature Firewind brand of power metal.
From the very first strains of opener “Hands Of Time”, the band set their stall out early: pulsating keys, thumping riffs and gloriously euphoric choruses, all set to a backdrop of those famous battles in 480BC. “We Defy” and “Live & Die By The Sword” contrast sonically (the former, a blazing bruiser; the latter a rousing anthem), but both bear the hallmarks of a chest-beating, pride-inducing battle cry. Similarly, standard edition closer “Rise From The Ashes” showcases new vocalist Henning Basse‘s ability to soar and inspire, whilst Gus G.’s irrepressible, Malmsteen-esque guitar noodling shines gloriously bright.
However, the jewel in the crown of ‘Immortals’, that one surviving, brave, defiant member of the 300 is the majestic “Ode To Leonidas”. Whilst each track on the album is a strong, well-written cut of power metal, this stands out for its intro – the spoken word passage adds a Hollywood-sheen to proceedings that brings out the album’s themes so, so well. The final line of “come and take it” rouses such a sense of pride and fearlessness for battle that it almost sparks a very London-esque response (“you want some? Well come and get some!”) Unfortunately for ‘Immortals’, it’s this little extra that pales other tracks on the album.
Power metal can often be seen as extremely opulent – the songwriting overwrought with epic song lengths, themes and even instrumentation (orchestras are so commonplace, they may as well tour as part of the band). Yet you get the feeling that further addition of these little cinematic pieces would take ‘Immortals’ to the next level. You’re talking about two of the most important battles in Grecian (maybe even the world’s) history – had they lost, who knows what sort of world we’d be living in right now? Greece would likely have fallen to Xerxes and Persian rule, so that little indulgence into the grandiose would have really added a cinematic sparkle.
Nit-picks-aside, fans of Firewind can rest-assured that the band they know and love are ploughing the furrow as good as they ever have. Unlike most power metal, ‘Immortals’ is refined, poised and a rousing addition to the band’s catalog, with a strong concept that begs to be researched. Whilst that cinematic edge would be a welcome boon, it doesn’t detract from a solid cut that will go down delightfully live. If pits are akin to a battlefield, then prepare for some rousing battles when Firewind roll into a venue near you.