All you Power Metal freaks better beware; here is one album that is going to kick your ass. A perfectly complete rush of bombastic guitars alongside hook-ridden songwriting that make this Finnish group one of the forerunners of Metal.

Feeding the Flames is filled with complete guitar crunch alongside catchy songs that keep within the realm of true Power Metal, without taking the detours into overly symphonic and progressive passages that often water down a project. Like label mates Valleys Eve, these guys keep it to the point (no pun intended), with the guitar riffs and the songs being the emphasis here. The guitars, played by Pete Ahonen and Juka Kyro, are the melodic force that keeps Burning Point within the same sound atmosphere as Malmsteen's Rising Force, with neo-classical arpeggios that make many of the modern day axe slingers want to hang up their axes for good, while Ahonen, who is also the vocalist, is a perfect cross between Jeff Scott Soto's lower vocal range and Iced Earth's Matthew Barlow.

The drums are more in your face without all the constant machine gun double bass, keeping a diverse rhythm that compliments the whole backbeat. Keyboards are also used sparingly more or less to exalt the rhythmic background with synth pads (although orchestral synth was used to introduce "Stray Bullet").

The high points on the album include the Gamma Ray-ish cuts "Quicker than the Eye," and "Into The fire," the slower paced "I am the Silent One" with it's late-period Black Sabbath vibe, (think of albums like TYR or Headless Cross) being a complete dark neo-ballad along with another slower paced cut called "Veil of Secrecy" which is reminiscent of early Queensryche. The albums opening opus "Into the Fire," could have easily have been mistaken for an early Stratovarius cut.

This record is full of energy and a classic vibe that is mandatory in the Metal world. Classic vibe in the way of many traditional bands that have set the standard for many Metal bands, keeping it more down to earth as far as song themes/concepts and production credibility. The sound of the album is fairly dense, considering the layers guitar sounds and reverb that dominate the album; but the mix keeps the whole audible spectrum from too muddy and lost. Feeding the Flames is defiantly for fans of Iced earth, Nevermore, Malmsteen, Symphorce, the Limb Music Label, and just about anyone into Power Metal, not to mention anybody who is into many classic Metal bands; here is a new group for you guys to discover.

Written by Hashman
Wednesday, June 4, 2003
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Ratings

Hashman: 8/10

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Comment by The Fat Friar (Anonymous) - Friday, June 13, 2003

I'm sorry but i have to disagree with Hash on this one. This is plain ole' derivitive power metal and it has been done before so many times it's pitiful. There is nothing unique at all about this band if you compare them to the power metal kings, Helloween, who still make great albums and keep the standard high for this type of music. If you live for and love straight ahead no frills power metal then the Hashman would be steering you right. I would say give it a try before you buy. Mp3's are wonderful you know!!!!

Comment by metalhero (Anonymous) - Monday, June 7, 2004

pure quality and excellent musicianship very old style pure power metal good quality vocals ahonen has a good range good bass and the drumming is very good this album is just very good however if you want real power metal then go buy a blind guardian album their not just good their the best.