Artist: The Fire Still Burns
Album: Demo 2004
Year: 2004
Genre: Melodic Hardcore
When I
initially had the idea for this blog I decided I was not going to delve into
“demo” land. No real reason behind it,
but it was something I was going to avoid by only reviewing what would be
considered “official” releases. Kind of
stupid now that I think about it, right?
I was introduced to The Fire Still Burns by a close friend that said
something to the effect of, “Guys from Lifetime, Ensign and Vision have a new
band. You need to check it
out.” I hit up the band’s Myspace (yup!)
and heard something that I thought was incredible. I didn’t hesitate to order the 3-song Demo
2004 disc directly from the band. I
hadn’t ordered anything directly from a band in years! Nothing like mail order to make you feel
young again.
The Fire Still Burns is exactly what you want it to be from a rad line up made of some of the more diverse and talented guys in punk and hardcore. The instrumentation is fast, energetic and has a slick, technical aspect to it which really does sound like Ensign and Lifetime got married and had an affair with “Can I Say” era Dag Nasty. The guitarists are panned hard right and left and don't sound stapled together as they play off one another by adding layers of harmonies and riffs. The rhythm section pounds away underneath and if you listen close, you’ll hear a lot of crafty bass runs throughout the songs. Vocalist Alf Bartone is definitely the star here as his husky, yet overtly melodic vocals take the songs right where they need to go. He has a unique tone that brings to mind Chad Price from All, and there’s certainly nothing bad about that. I really want to say this takes me back to the 90s, but I’m pretty sure I only have that inclination due to the pedigree of the band. Also, bands didn’t sound this accurate and well-put-together in the 90s. The three songs filled with smatterings of youth crew, 90s emo and melodic hardcore fly by and you will instantly find yourself hitting play right away so you can sing-a-long with the gang vocals and get visual images about how much fun a Fire Still Burns show would have been. Would is the key term; they lasted from 2004-2008 with three releases to their credit. I suggest finding all three even though this is still my favorite.
The Fire Still Burns is exactly what you want it to be from a rad line up made of some of the more diverse and talented guys in punk and hardcore. The instrumentation is fast, energetic and has a slick, technical aspect to it which really does sound like Ensign and Lifetime got married and had an affair with “Can I Say” era Dag Nasty. The guitarists are panned hard right and left and don't sound stapled together as they play off one another by adding layers of harmonies and riffs. The rhythm section pounds away underneath and if you listen close, you’ll hear a lot of crafty bass runs throughout the songs. Vocalist Alf Bartone is definitely the star here as his husky, yet overtly melodic vocals take the songs right where they need to go. He has a unique tone that brings to mind Chad Price from All, and there’s certainly nothing bad about that. I really want to say this takes me back to the 90s, but I’m pretty sure I only have that inclination due to the pedigree of the band. Also, bands didn’t sound this accurate and well-put-together in the 90s. The three songs filled with smatterings of youth crew, 90s emo and melodic hardcore fly by and you will instantly find yourself hitting play right away so you can sing-a-long with the gang vocals and get visual images about how much fun a Fire Still Burns show would have been. Would is the key term; they lasted from 2004-2008 with three releases to their credit. I suggest finding all three even though this is still my favorite.
Listen to "Insert Motivation Here" here.
(not a song on the demo, but the only decent thing I could find from them on YouTube)
No comments:
Post a Comment