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Hell Fire: Mania

Heavy/Speed/Thrash Metal

4.0/5.0

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RidingEasy Records
Released: 22.03.2019
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 13.03.2019

If you come from San Francisco with the intent to play some classic old school heavy metal, you better have the musical chops from the Bay Area that gave us bands such as Exodus, Testament, and Metal Church. In that tradition arrives American underground metal heroes Hell Fire with their third long player, Mania on RidingEasy Records.

Hell Fire

Channeling more than a little NWoBHM, Hell Fire revisits the American side of traditional heavy metal, and then infuses it with parts of speed and thrash metal. They are from San Francisco after all. The band builds their metal through twin guitars with both harmony and fierce riffs, which in turn leads to furious and frantic lead solos. Backing them up is a tough rhythm section for speed, power, and groove, thanks to a thick bass line and thundering drums. Over top is guitarist and vocalist Jake Nunn who has an assertive, raw to screamo, voice. Honestly, his style is an acquired taste. While I enjoyed Hell Fire's classic metal style, I quickly tired of Nunn shrieking in my ears.

Nevertheless, for some rushing and thrashing traditional heavy metal Hell Fire definitely has their groove on. With songs such as Masochist, Warpath, and On The Loose, you'll find fiery guitar starts before erupting into metal that sways between steady and speedy with explosions of more guitar solos. Alternatively, with Isolator and Knights Of The Holy, the bass and drums lead the songs. In the latter song, the bass rides along the cymbals before a guitar lead drops in for a quieter opening. But, as the saying goes, beware of songs that start slow. Knights Of The Holy quickly turns into heavy steady metal. For something not quite completely different, listen for Lashing Out, a song that puts some punk attitude into Hell Fire's speed metal. In the end, while not too keen on the vocals, Hell Fire's Mania delivers classic American heavy metal laced with speed and thrash metal. Recommended.

Iron Savior: Kill Or Get Killed

Heavy/Power Metal

4.5/5.0

Practically legends in the realm of German heavy metal, Iron Savior returns with their eleventh studio album, Kill Or Get Killed. Formed in 1996, vocalist and guitarist ... [ Read More ]

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

While not too keen on the vocals, Hell Fire's Mania delivers classic American heavy metal laced with speed and thrash metal. Recommended.

Alphabetical Index

Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]