Title: Brush-Fires of the Mind
Artist: Sons of Liberty
Genre: Heavy Metal
Release Date: 9th July 2010
Label: Century Media Records
Album Review
SONS OF LIBERTY were formed in 2009 as a side-project of ICED EARTH head Jon Schaffer. The name is chosen with regard to the political group, who demanded liberty and a better treatment by the British government during the time when America was still under British leadership. It is not intended of making money, but rather to make the people aware of the current state of affairs in the world, to get them talking about politics and reflecting about the current situation in general. This is obviously reflected in the lyrics of the band’s debut record ‘Brush-Fires of the Mind’.
The longest song, ‘Jekyll Island’ is chosen as an opener, combining group chants with a mid-tempo metal song and a nice guitar solo. ‘Don’t Tread on me’ starts off a bit faster, but is in general constructed around an unusual harmony and a chorus, which is often repeated. The last part mostly consists of samples and appears to be pretty boring. The vocals in ‘False Flag’ seem to be nu-metal orientated, whilst ‘Our Dying Republic’ remarks a slow song, almost like a ballade, including some passages with several voices combined. The beginning of the fifth song is again underlined by a political speech sampled, the following music sounds somehow like newer METALLICA. ‘Tree of Liberty’ starts in a classic rock manner, yet again this song is rather unspectacular. ‘Feeling Helpless?’ furthermore is a slow song, with emotional lyrics and melodic elements as well as choir-sung parts. Although the refrain tends to get a little boring, this song remarks one of the better ones. ‘The Cleansing Wind’ is built around an acoustic guitar phrase but also gains up some power in the middle part.
The record ends with the strong hymn ‘We the People’ which remarks another highlight, some more speed would not have done any bad at all. Some songs on this album (at least to me) appear pretty run-of-the-mill, almost as if they only served to underline the lyrics. Apart from this, fans of ICED EARTH and other bands of that genre are not mistaken by giving this album a try. Surely, one has to get used to the differing vocals, but other than that, the main focus is on the political and general message. Due to this, the music is located in the background and at times appears rather irrelevantly. Also, some samples may be suitable to underline the context, but do somehow disturb the music. Yet I agree to the bands attitude of making people politically aware, but it is of course a matter of taste if this should be combined with music or if rather politics kill arts.
Tracklist
01. Jekyll Island (7:19)
02. Don't Tread On Me (5:08)
03. False Flag (4:50)
04. Our Dying Republic (3:48)
05. Indentured Servitude (4:42)
06. Tree of Liberty (6:11)
07. Feeling Helpless? (4:01)
08. The Cleansing Wind (4:33)
09. We the People (5:18)
Line-up
Jon Schaffer - lead vocals, rhythm & lead guitars, drum programming
Ruben Drake - bass guitar
Howard Helm & Jeff Brandt - backing vocals
Guest musicians: Troy Seele and Jim Morris
Website
www.myspace.com/meettheshackles / http://www.sons-of-liberty.net/
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 5
Sound: 7
Extras: -
Total: 6 / 10
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