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Title: Suicidewalk
Artist: FireScent
Genre: Dark / Progressive Metal
Release Date: August 2009
Label: Currently Unsigned



Introduction

FIRESCENT is a dark progressive metal band from Siegen (Germany) that has formed out of the ashes of melodic metal band MINDCRIME which had already gained quite some popularity by the time they were around. Consisting of Christoph Weller on vocals, ex-LAY DOWN ROTTEN axegrinder Daniel Benner, Sascha Stange (guitar), Mario Junker (bass) and Tobi Jost (drums), the guys all happen to be experienced musicians and are now ready for a new line of action. In general, the band describes itself as being heavily influenced by Scandinavian metal bands such as KATATONIA and OPETH, and therefore puts a high focus on atmosphere, melancholy and darkness while keeping a high grade of groove, aggression and dissonance at the same time.


EP Review

The 'Suicidewalk' EP is FIRESCENT’s very first 3-song release that shall give the listeners a quick taste of what’s to follow in the future. The debut album is already in progress as we speak and after listening to this EP, I can only say that we can probably expect something really big from these guys. Not only is the production and mix of this EP of a very high level, the guys also clearly present their sense for perfectionism and professionalism in the highly detailed cover artwork (that was done by FIRESCENT’s very own singer C. Weller) and in the general arrangement of the songs. The whole EP sounds very well-thought-out and mature, and from the first note on one notices the experience that these guys already have and is struck by the high quality of the release.

The first track ‘Transmission Lane’ immediately reminded me of Scandinavian bands such as OPETH and KATATONIA due to its heavy and dark riffs that are followed by a short acoustic guitar part - an arrangement that is quite typical for a band like OPETH. While listening to the melancholic and deep vocals, one can’t help but thinking of Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA’s lead singer) and also Nick Holmes from PARADISE LOST, which is actually a good thing because the vocals suit the songs very well. Some interspersed growls and a short guitar solo top off the song which is in general a great opener for the EP and basically contains all the typical trademarks of a good song in the dark/progressive metal genre.

’Me For Everyone’, the second track, then starts off with a typical Scandinavian melodic death metal riff that bands such as IN FLAMES would probably really dig. The vocals are once again very melancholic and also energetic (especially in the chorus) and are accompanied by a powerful drumming and a generally heavy bass. The highlight of this song is definitely the calmer acoustic passage where the great interplay with softer and heavier elements once again comes into its own. An obligatory guitar solo tops off the song and once again shows the technical brilliance of the band.

’Zero Phrases’, the last track, is a great addition to the other two tracks and again shows some great riffing and emotional vocals that actually have a bit of a NEVERMORE feel to it. All in all, this is a great metal song that closes with some nice interspersed orchestral samples and at the same time concludes a very ambitious debut effort that definitely whets one’s appetite for more!


Tracklist

01. Transmission Lane
02. Me For Everyone
03. Zero Phrases


Line-Up

Christoph Weller - Vocals
Daniel Benner - Guitar
Sascha Stange - Guitar
Mario Junker - Bass
Tobi Jost - Drums


Website

http://www.firescent.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/firescent


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8.5 / 10


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