Founded in 2004, Divinefire has released three albums that can only be described as...intense.
Glory Thy Name is their first official release was originally released in Japan and later released in the US. The debut album is loaded with shredding guitars, power metal vocals, vocal harmonies, atmospheric keyboard work, and a double bass drum beat to boot. These guys really know how to rock, and the best part is, it's for Jesus.
I'll go through a play by play of each song to give you an idea of what they sound like.
From Death to Life
An atmospheric introduction to the album in which the "preface" of the album is stated, basically telling a story of a man seeing Jesus crucified on the cross and Jesus explaining his victory over death. This leads right into some high old fashioned power metal screams...
World's on Fire
A fast paced song exclaiming that the apocalypse is fast approaching and it's our choice to realize it and do something about it. This track is packed to the brim with keyboards, guitars, and over-the-top drumming along with some death metal-esque growls and harmonizing choruses
Never Surrender
A solid track about the battle between good and evil on earth and persevering through it all until we are saved. The highlight of this track is the harmonic choruses in which Divinefire had a few friends hired to help out with on this album singing along with the lead vocalist. Of course there is a sweet solo with harmonizing guitars and keyboards. Good track, just a little too long.
The Sign
This song will get stuck in your head. The chorus, which is repeating a bit too many times, proclaims "Now I see the sign, sunrise of my life. Darkness fades away, a new day has begun." You will sing that out loud. There's no doubt it will be stuck in your head by the time this song is over. This track is a song telling of some trouble's in life that have been realized and the true meaning of life is found and embraced. Some nice heavy breakdowns in this track makes for a very dark atmosphere.
Out of the Darkness
This track is basically a "part 2", if you will, to the previous track, in which the narrator exclaims to God that he wants to live for Him. Nothing incredibly amazing musically in this track. A nice solo once again is the attention grabber in this track. This is a rocking track, one of my favorites on this album.
Pay it Forward
One of my favorites on this album. The track starts off with a slower, melodic introduction in which a headline is talked about in which 5 people are killed and the narrator breaks down and claims this world is a living Hell and he doesn't understand saying, "We were made to love." This track is unlike others on the album as it is not as hard hitting. It's a slower peace with more elaborate clean tones and keyboard work, but it's still a good track.
Live my Life for You
Another favorite. Rocking track right here. Starts off with some classic power metal vocals along with heavy guitar work and a double bass beat. This tracks all about exclaiming that the Lord is who the narrator is going to live for from now on. It's a more joyous track in which trials and tribulations seem to be far away for a while. Some nice guitar and keyboard harmonizing is worthy of mentioning here.
Free Like an Eagle
This track is on the Japanese release. I was surprised when I heard this one. It's a little different from the other tracks but there are many layers of vocals on this track that caught my attention. This is a steady rocking track right from the beginning. This song will get stuck in your head as well. A staple power metal track...reminiscent of Stratovarious, to me anyway...
The Spirit
This is by far the best track on the album. Full of dark breakdowns with melodic keyboards and ripping guitar riffs, this is a great track.
The Way to Eternity
This is a nice little ending, similar to the intro. It's a short little track in which the narrator talks about God giving up his only son for our salvation.
This is a pretty strong album, although it's not as strong as other releases, but that can be expected with debut albums. My only complaint about this album is that some of the songs can be too long and get repetitive, however they get stuck in your head. I recommend this album to any and all power metal fans.
Final Album Rating: 4/5
