• New Music Reviews
• |
• Archives
• |
• News
• |
• Submissions
• |
• About
• |
• 
• |
• 

July 2024

• Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder
• Spektra: Hypnotized
• (Michael) Palace: Reckless Heart
• Mr. Big: Ten
• Dark Mile: Dark Mile

June 2024

• Kaipa: Sommargryningsljus
• Sunbomb: Light Up The Sky
• Seven Spires: A Fortress Called Home
• Atlantic: Another World
• Xeneris: Eternal Rising
• New Horizon: Conquerors
• Issa: Another World

May 2024

• Rhapsody Of Fire: Challenge The Wind
• Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross
• Perseus: Into The Silence
• Yes: Talk (1994/2024) Reissue
• Marty Friedman: Drama
• Demon: Invincible
• The Treatment: Wake Up The Neighbourhood
• The Tangent: To Follow Polaris
• Riot V: Mean Streets
• Anette Olzon: Rapture
• FM: Old Habits Die Hard

April 2024

• War Grave: War Grave EP
• Six By Six: Beyond Shadowland
• Vanden Plas: The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
• Praying Mantis: Defiance
• King Zebra: Between The Shadows
• About Us: Take A Piece
• Blue Oyster Cult: Ghost Stories

March 2024

• Cruzh: The Jungle Revolution
• Whom Gods Destroy: Insanium
• The Prog Collective: Dark Encounters
• Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity
• Lipz: Changing The Melody
• The End Machine: The Quantum Phase
• Stargate: Escaping The Illusion
• Turbulence: Binary Dream
• Sonata Arctica: Clear Cold Beyond
• D'Luna: Monster
• Big Big Train: The Likes Of Us
• Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help

February 2024

• Traveler: Prequel To Madness
• Lionheart: The Grace Of A Dragonfly
• Honeymoon Suite: Alive
• Durbin: Screaming Steel
• Smoking Snakes: Danger Zone
• Revolution Saints: Against The Winds
• Striker: Ultrapower
• Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun
• Robert Hart: Circus Life

[ More Music Reviews ]

Saffire: From Ashes to Fire

Melodic Hard Rock/Metal

4.5/5.0

Website Facebook
Inner Wound Recordings
by Craig Hartranft,  04.24.2013

Prior to releasing their debut album, From Ashes to Fire, Sweden's Saffire had cut three demos. Reflecting on these, the band thought they had enough material for a strong full-length work. Well, friends, it appears they did, and maybe some more, as this recording has 13 songs with over an hour of music.

Saffire:: in black.

It's good stuff, too, an entertaining blend of classic melodic hard rock with a metal edge. The songs are well-crafted and varied, depending upon a strong rock groove, melodies, and hooks in both lyrics and arrangements to propel them. Several good examples of this come with Magnolia, Freedom Call, and The Betrayer's Fate. The latter two are also examples of the fine placement of keyboards occurring in all the songs.

Saffire easily blurs the line between hard rock and metal, certainly with heavier songs like Kingdom of the Blind, A Symphony Unheard, and Paralyzed. But their metal is never oppressive or harsh, always relying on good melodies to move them. Two anthems or ballads are thrown with What If and She Remains a Mystery, which has some delicate piano work and an impressive guitar solo (which are good throughout). As a whole From Ashes to Fire is a strong album, although a song like End of the World trudges along in an uninspiring way. Perhaps the album's best asset is that you get a lot of good music for your money. How many band's cut an album at over sixty minutes with a consistent interesting and entertaining performance? You know the answer to that already. Saffire's From Ashes to Fire is easily recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Saffire's From Ashes to Fire is strong album of melodic hard rock with a metal edge, propelled by creative songwriting and solid musicianship.

Alphabetical Index

We have to dig deep, three decades, to find the origins of Atlantic, a project of songwriter, musician, and producer Simon Harrison (then Stranger, Wisht). Initially thought to be a one-off recording, Harrison ... [ Read More ]