Firewind
Few Against Many


4.0
excellent

Review

by Cactupuss USER (3 Reviews)
May 18th, 2012 | 20 replies


Release Date: 2012 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Firewind return with a fresh sound, and Gus G. shines for once again throughout the whole album, making it quite more interesting than what it would have been without him.

So... for anyone that noticed, it's no coincidence that I decided to write my second review now, since it's for the same band, a year and a half after "Days of Defiance". This time, Firewind managed to serve something fresh. They combined all the previous styles the band had tried in the past and they evolved them into a new, more modern sound.

Mixed by Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi, I felt the americanization running through my veins from the very first moment, when I heard the first two singles. No, I don't mean on the internet, I actually had the luck to hear them live, quite earlier. And while I didn't pay much attention to "Wall of Sound", cause I was in the moshpit, it happened that it was just a "World on Fire" #2, so the studio version didn't impress me either, despite the nice riffs. "Losing My Mind" on the other hand is a quite nice track. Its main ingredient is the word "yeah", just like the other one, but it is very progressive and well composed. My favourite tracks are "Another Dimension", which is the most powerful song of the album, although the chorus gets poppy, and "Glorious", which begins with a strong riff and gradually builds in an interesting way, until the typical Firewind-like chorus. "Long Gone Tomorrow's" riffs remind me of Dream Theater, while the long-awaited collaboration with Apocalyptica, "Edge of A Dream", is an unusual for the band ballad, with a districtive use of guitar in the background.

One of the biggest changes that came with this album is the reduction in the use of keyboards, which in my opinion pays off, as it gives a heavier touch to it. The instrumental work often ressembles Firewind's first albums, but I soon realized it's quite more complex and well executed, with a modern sound whenever it is needed. That's no surprise of course, and we owe it to the charismatic guy named Gus G. Needless to say, the solos won't let you down either. About the other members, Bob Katsionis, as I already noted, mainly deals with the guitar part too, while Johan Nunez, their 6th drummer (!), sounds quite comfortable with the rest of the band and gives his rhythm too. Also, sorry Petros, but I didn't really pay attention to the bass cause bla bla bla and for Apollo Papathanasiou, keep reading.

And now, although I wish I didn't have to write this part, cause I'm a huge fan of Firewind, I like being honest (self compliment) and I will analyze the negative aspects of the album. Like their previous release, many songs seem to lack in catchiness. "Days of Defiance" didn't even offer anything new, as the band tried to create a clone of their mega-success "The Premonition", and while this one is certainly interesting, it doesn't have the sweetness of it either. That could be on purpose, since they wanted something heavier, but the vocals don't help much. Sometimes they are downvolumed, overlayered, or have too many effects, which make them a bit annoying. Don't get me wrong, Apollo is a great singer, it could be just the mix, and appart from the choruses, which are nothing exceptional anyway, his voice generally fits. But still, imagine this outstanding instrumental work with the addition of Stephen Fredrick's ("Between Heaven and Hell", "Burning Earth") powerful vocals...

Anyway, this is a better album than "Days of Defiance", and it incorporates new ideas. Bands' fans will not be dissapointed, but there is room for improvement. It could have been more memorable, and the vocals could have been cleaner and more powerful, which would help to achieve that, supposing they are bored to write more interesting choruses. The strongest part of "Few Against Many" is the guitar work, and I don't wanna take it too far and say it surpasses anything Gus G. has done in the past, but... *** it, I think it does. Just for that, the album is worth listening, and whenever the mix is successful, it gets even more enjoyable.


user ratings (64)
3.4
great


Comments:Add a Comment 
Venpts16
May 18th 2012


283 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Well-written and pos'd, though the review will probably be taken down because it was uploaded a few days before the album will be released.

Cactupuss
May 18th 2012


52 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks and well, I hope not. For anyone who wants to hear the album, it is being streamed here:

http://www.guitarworld.com/exclusive-firewind-streaming-new-album-few-against-many

Venpts16
May 18th 2012


283 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

I agree! Your review is very well-written, and it would be disappointing if it were taken down. D:

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
May 18th 2012


19009 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Need to check the album stream.

Poet
May 18th 2012


6151 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Review won't be taken down because the stream is legit. Too many albums out this week to check out ugh. I'll get to this though.

FictionalFlames
May 19th 2012


1528 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I thought it was released in Germany today.

KjSwantko
May 19th 2012


12204 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

can't wait to check this out, I love me some Firewind

FictionalFlames
May 19th 2012


1528 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

The review was okay, and for a pointer never ever have stuff in your review like your first sentence.

TheNotrap
Staff Reviewer
May 19th 2012


19009 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

I'm kinda disappointed but the album still has its moments.

Cactupuss
May 20th 2012


52 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

@ FictionalFlames: Well, whatever I write, I feel like there should always be a prologue :P



Anyway, the album has fewer weak moments than previous ones, and after a while, it grows on you, so give it enough listens before you judge.

KjSwantko
May 24th 2012


12204 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Kinda disappointed with this album after the first listen.

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
May 24th 2012


10937 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Same here.



It's been promoted as the band's partial turn to extreme metal genres, i.e. thrash, but this turn is incomplete at best.



Plus the production is totally "compressed", especially with respect to the guitars.

KjSwantko
May 24th 2012


12204 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Agreed. I put it on my ipod to check out while at the gym but I found myself just skipping through the tracks and being bored with it. Certainly a low 3.5; how it has got a 4.2 on here so far I do not know.

FictionalFlames
May 24th 2012


1528 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I didn't like the album at first mainly due to Apollo's vocal mix or maybe they're starting to catch up with his age. Besides that it grew on me, and I already have "Destiny" and "Glorious" within my book of classic Firewind songs.

ThrashTillDeath94
August 4th 2012


814 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5 | Sound Off

Having never heard Firewind before this album, I gotta say I am really impressed so far. I guess i have to start digging through their catalog now...

FictionalFlames
August 4th 2012


1528 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

dude Firewind slays, and all of their albums have a shit ton of great stuff

linguist2011
January 11th 2015


2656 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Perhaps the most unoriginal Firewind album for me, but it's still fairly decent stuff. 'Edge of a Dream' is distinctive if only for its Apocalyptica involvement, and the more powerful songs like 'Wall of Sound' and 'Destiny' eclipse the quality of other tracks. By Firewind's standards, sort of average then.

InFlamesWeThrash666
January 11th 2015


10584 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Agreed.

Cactupuss
January 11th 2015


52 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I think I overrated this album, idk... I wrote this back when I liked power metal, hardly ever do I listen to this stuff anymore

rockandmetaljunkie
February 15th 2017


9658 Comments


no needs to worry, opinions and ratings change all the time



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