Flames of Fire are back with another round of Christ-centered classic metal with their sophomore release “Our Blessed Hope.” Using the palette of early metal and classic rock with modern production, we have ten tracks dedicated to the truth of Jesus Christ. Although this is only their second album as a band, the musicians in the project have several decades of experience.
Flames of Fire was formed in 2021 from the long-term friendship of vocalist Christian Liljegren (Narnia, The Waymaker, Divinefire) and guitarist Mats-Åke Andersson. Jani Stefanovic (Solution .45, Divinefire, The Waymaker), longtime collaborator with Christian’s projects, joined the fold as producer and jack of all trades for the project. Bassist Per Schelander (Astrakhan, Royal Hunt, House of Shakira) and guitarist Stephen Carlson rounded out the band for their first album. This time around drummer, Alfred Fridhagen (Golden Resurrection, ReinXeed, Metalite) is joining the party relieving Jani of drumming duties so he can focus on guitars, keys and producing.
“Our Blessed Hope” is a great mix of classic metal-inspired tracks with bold Christian lyrics which can support the listening believer or open up conversations with non-believers. Songs vary from classic heavy metal, fast proto-thrash, and slower doom with a ballad hymn thrown in the mix. The rhythm work on the album is period appropriate and well executed as well as Christian’s Dio-esque vocals. Unfortunately, the lead work was buried in the mix for the most part leading to a flatter overall recording. Even with this issue, the album plays well beside many early classic metal releases.
The songwriting delivers on the intended goal of Dio/Iron Maiden/Narnia inspired heavy metal for old school fans. After an ominous opening instrumental track that forms around a heavy metal motif, “This is the One” gives us the first real taste of FoF. This is a solid mid-tempo heavy track that showcases good riff construction and their technical ability to switch meters at the solo section. “Battlefield of Souls” opens with a nu-metalesque rhythm that gives way to a cool bluesy-inspired track showcasing Christian’s vocals. Then it gets kicked up a notch for “Prayer Warriors,” an Iron Maiden-inspired proto-thrash track. Great galloping riffs and lots of scriptural references make this easily my favorite on the album.
From the speed metal, the album goes into doom territory with “In Dark Times – Shelter Me.” It has quite an ominous feel to it and doesn’t rise above the Sabbath-inspired gloom throughout the track. “Alpha and Omega” pick the pace back up and sounds like it comes right from Narnia’s back catalog. There is a bold declaration of Christ as Messiah and some excellent scale-run riffs to showcase the rhythm guitar work.
“Rest in Me” is a ballad hymn sung from the point of view of Jesus to the listener. It is a very comforting hymn where the instrumentation relies on keys to set the harmony with steel guitar support. It is a rather tender piece that might be a little too sweet for the average heavy metal fan. If one thought that one too sappy, the next track brings it back to heavy territory with “The King Will Return.” Aside from the opening lick that seems to lack pace, this is a faster track in a triple meter. There is a middle-eastern atmosphere which is exemplified in the guitar solo section.
The title track is the penultimate for the album and the last heavy hitter. It works well as a closing track to the album with a majestic opening that gives way to galloping power metal riffing. I really like the shift in meters for the solos before leading up into an epic final chorus. The chorus has a hymnal quality to it which is further emphasized with the fade in of the choral arrangement of guitars and bass in the coda. Although “Vila I Mig” is the final track, I think of it as a bonus since it is the Swedish version of the English “Rest in Me.”
With most of Christian’s projects, there is a lot of passion, melody and a great dose of bold proclamation of Christ as King. For that last point alone, I think that this is worth checking out if the music genre is within your appetite. Musically, it is quite solid, but lacking the depth I was craving due to the burying of the lead work. If you are fan of the hey day of melodic classic metal and want something to embolden your own walk with Christ, I would recommend this album.
Rating: 7.5/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist:
1 – Second Advent of Jesus Christ
2 – This is the One
3 – Battlefield of Souls
4 – Prayer Warriors
5 – In Dark Times – Shelter Me
6 – Alpha and Omega
7 – Rest In Me
8 – The King will Return
9 – Our Blessed Hope
10 – Vila i Mig
Flames of Fire is:
Christian Liljegren – lead vocals
Mats-Åke Andersson – guitars, composer
Per Schelander – bass and backing vocals
Jani Stefanovic – guitars, keyboards, producer
Stephen Carlson – guitars
Alfred Fridhagen – drums
Release Date: December 1, 2023
Record Label: Melodic Passion Records
Discography:
2022: Flames of Fire (review)
2023: Our Blessed Hope
Social Media: Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Order album | Spotify
Videos (prior album):
Video for ‘This Is the One’