BROTHER FIRETRIBE: Feel The Burn (A.O.R.): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After 18 years of career, four studio albums and a Live DVD, the departure of Emppu Vuorinen, too busy with Nightwish, could have sounded the death for Brother Firetribe. But the band's boss is Tomppa Nikulainen who is at the origin of the band's formation and in charge of most of the compositions. It is thus with Roope Riihijärvi in replacement of Emppu Vuorinen that "Feel The Burn" is released, new discographic delivery of the group in this troubled year.

Co-produced by the band and Jimmy Westerlund (One Desire, Ancara, Sturm Und Drang, Cain's Offering...), this offering marks a notable evolution without revolutionizing the identity of the band. Indeed, the compositions remain identifiable with melodies and choruses each time unstoppables ('Chariot Of Fire', 'Ticking Away', 'Rock In The City'). Always working in a brilliant and dynamic AOR, the Finns vary the ambiences and tempi, capable of desperate cavalcades a little dark but dynamic ('Arianne') as well as bewitching ballads starting in an atmospheric way to delicately rise in intensity ('Love Is A Beautiful Lie').

Yet, "Feel The Burn" sees Brother Firetribe move to the next level and the importance of Jimmy Westerlund in this evolution is blinding, both in production and writing. You only have to listen to the introduction of 'Rock In The City' and its closeness to the riff of One Desire's 'After You're Gone' ("Midnight Empire" - 2020) to be convinced. Some of the pieces here have a power that was rarely achieved before, such as the hymn 'I Salute You' and its scent of 'Who Will You Run To Now? ("Heart Full Of Fire" - 2008), or 'Ticking Away' with a heady chorus that never comes out of your mind. The compositions also sometimes show an ambition that goes beyond just making unstoppable hits. 'Night Drive' is based on a cinematic atmosphere and a luminous solo, while 'Battle Ground' and 'Candle In The Window' can be reminiscent of the best of Magnum, the former being carried along by a Native American groove and the latter by playing on contrasts.

'Feel The Burn' seems to be Brother Firetribe's most accomplished work. If Tomppa Nikulainen and his band seemed to be a talented band that some people had trouble taking seriously, they've struck a blow here and prove that they are not by chance among the main leaders of the genre. Not to be missed under any circumstances! - Official website

BROTHER FIRETRIBE

FEEL THE BURN

AUTRE LABEL

A.O.R.