Forming in 2021, the story for Flames of Fire originates during youthful days in 1987 – where vocalist Christian Liljegren and guitarist Mats-Åke Andersson would meet at a burger place. Playing in other bands at the time, they developed a friendship and finally decided to join forces in a new group – filling out the lineup with musicians from the triad countries of Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Carefully crafting material in a quick half-year window, the veteran experience makes this record quite appealing for those who love catchy Euro-driven power metal with the right melodic and neoclassical-oriented touches.
Taking in musicians who have worked across various genres and with groups like Solution .45, Pain of Salvation, Royal Hunt, and Narnia among others – the requisite focus necessary to write, perform, and produce high-quality songs right out of the gate is apparent on first listen to mandatory headbangers such as “Gloria” (the opening riff resembling Warlord’s “Child of the Damned”) and “I Am”. Evident affinity for Yngwie Malmsteen, Rainbow, Dio, and others in that majestic/mystical terrain comes shining through in the tempos, guitar passages, fluid bass support, and powerhouse vocals – drawing out magnificent instrumental sequences in epic doom pacing for the almost ten-minute “Solution”. The tandem of Mr. Andersson and Jani Stefanovic execute stunning rhythms and exemplary lead play – conjuring Iron Maiden/Thin Lizzy twin licks on the more commercial leaning title track, but letting their fingers fly in arpeggio aural landscapes throughout “Soldiers of the King”. The Christian-uplifting lyrical content is front and center – so those opposed to such positive, King of Kings-oriented subject matter may be turned off a little by that aspect. Most though will not deny the soaring pipes and stellar command Christian continues to have in his early fifties – capable in hitting those falsettos with gusto throughout the record.
Flames of Fire deliver a classic, self-titled melodic power metal offering with the right traditional, neoclassical and doom edges that will develop solid appeal and anticipation for the next record.