{"id":54519,"date":"2017-04-23T17:50:27","date_gmt":"2017-04-23T22:50:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=54519"},"modified":"2017-04-23T17:52:31","modified_gmt":"2017-04-23T22:52:31","slug":"brother-firetribe-sunbound-music-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2017\/brother-firetribe-sunbound-music-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Brother Firetribe | Sunbound"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Franco Cerchiari<\/span>
\n– Sr. Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"As luck would have it, the arena-filling, Melodic Rock sounds of the ’80s seems to be making a comeback of sorts with bands like Place Vendome, Eclipse, First Signal, House of Lords and Pride of Lions all releasing pleasing on the ears, keyboard heavy, Melodic Rock. Adding to that playlist is Brother Firetribe and their 4th outing, Sunbound released on the Spinefarm Records label. Yeah, the songs are likeable, radio friendly, and accessible, but truth be told it\u2019s missing that \u201cgrab you by your soul and shake it loose\u201d vibe that 2014\u2019s Diamond in the Firepit<\/em> had, or even a better release was 2008\u2019s Heart Full of Fire<\/em> (try listening to \u201cOut Of Your Head\u201d from Heart Full of Fire<\/em> and NOT reach for the volume knob,) but on this, most of the songs came across as a Survivor inspired, at times tired sounding rehash of \u201cKarate Kid\/Rocky\/Chariots of Fire\u201d themed soundtracks (check out the tracks, \u201cTaste Of A Champion\u201d or \u201cIndelible Heroes\u201d for instance.) <\/p>\n

Sure, the songs were well played, the mixing perfect, and true to the days when Survivor\/Night Ranger\/Journey ruled the airwaves, the melodies were awash with keyboard-drenched refrains thanks to Tomppa Nikulainen, and the incontestable, outstanding voice of Pekka Heino (Leverage\/Cashmir) blends wonderfully with his sidekick guitarist, Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish, Altaria, Almah,) But, it is a wish that these songs just had the from the heart, can\u2019t seem to play this music loud enough, over the top, coliseum-filling sounds this great band\u2019s past releases had. <\/p>\n

Not to say that these songs were bad, for that is not at all the case. Opening Sunbound<\/em> is the short instrumental title track which will make one want to find Sly Stallone\u2019s cell phone number and ask if he\u2019d like to go for a run along the beach to work on your cardio prior to taking on the heavyweight champion of the world and also good was \u201cHelp Is On The Way\u201d with its heavy use of guitars and keyboards. The drums of the mid-tempo \u201cLast Forever,\u201d the gripping \u201cShock\u201d were fine, and the rocking \u201cGive Me Tonight,\u201d was this CD\u2019s highlight and a throwback to the days of \u201cOut Of My Head.\u201d The lyrics of \u201cBig City Dream\u201d was worth thinking about, and closing Sunbound was the 5 minute \u201cPhantasmagoria\u201d which at times seemed to drudge along, but still, this was a song which was, in fact, massive in its delivery. <\/p>\n

But in the end, as the last song faded into black, the headphones were set on the table, and the final sigh was made, it must be confessed that on so many occasions during this CD\u2019s playing time it was a wish that this music would just explode into the stratosphere, spellbinding the listener with one song after another that totally encapsulated the listener\u2019s heart, mind, and soul where a constant reach for the volume knob was made, but sadly, and truthfully, it just didn\u2019t. To admit that about a favorite band, and as well a band whose music remains as a favorite in one\u2019s collection, is tough, downright hard in fact. Still though, there was something fun about some of these songs, and yeah, in a time or two, it was a good listen, but overall the music of Sunbound kind of came across as flat, and as that sigh escapes one\u2019s breath it must be said \u2013 this is really not one of this fantastic band\u2019s best.<\/p>\n

Genre: Melodic Rock<\/p>\n

Band Members:
\nPekka Heino \u2013 vocals
\nErno \u201cEmppu Vuorinen \u2013 guitars
\nJason Flinck \u2013 bass guitar
\nTomppa Nikulainen \u2013 keyboards
\nHannes Pirila \u2013 drums<\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n1. Sunbound
\n2. Help Is On The Way
\n3. Indelible Heroes
\n4. Taste Of A Champion
\n5. Last Forever
\n6. Give Me Tonight
\n7. Shock
\n8. Strangled
\n9. Heart Of The Matter
\n10. Restless Heart
\n11. Big City Dream
\n12. Phantasmagoria. <\/p>\n

Label: Spinefarm Records<\/p>\n

Website: www.brotherfiretribe.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: [usr 7 size=20]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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