Based on album covers, metalheads could be accused of being pyromaniacs. I know I love to watch my fair share of campfires, matches and the like, but I wouldn’t commit arson like this lady. Not only burning a forest down, but in a ballgown nonetheless. Given some of the intrigue around this band in the last month, maybe this was prophetic. But with every catastrophe is a new beginning.
This is a new band born from some seasoned talent. Bassist Steven Tobeck (Silver Train, The Rockles) and guitarist Sean Searls (Tyraels Ascension, Bury Your Burdens) connected in the local music scene in Washington state to build up a heavy metal band. They pulled in veteran drummer Shannon Laird (The Braindead, Disciples of Dissent, Testing Trinity) to complete the instrumental engine. They recorded some material to attract a vocalist in which local singer Jenea Fiore was selected to join the band. Starting in 2023, they released a couple of singles which culminated in the debut album “Burn” on Rottweiler Records. On April 1 of this year, Jenea was let go from the band which subsequently locked their website and social media accounts as she was running much of the social media for the band. Putting drama aside, let’s talk about the album.
From the first spin, “Burn” showcases a talented band with a lot of energy. Front and center is Jenea’s powerful alto voice that meets the heavy metal fury like none other. One moment she is belting out aggression and then turns smooth and sultry as in a smokey bar the next. The rhythm work on this is top notch, weaving energetic riffs in synergy between bass, guitar and drums. The lead and solo guitar work has a nostalgic heavy metal feel that balances emotion and technique. With 12 solid songs running almost 50 minutes, the album lands with a good amount of material without being too long.
The songs are a good mix of influences while staying squarely within traditional heavy metal making for a quite consistent album from top to bottom. My favorite songs border on thrash metal. “Warhawk” sounds like a Megadeth tune, “Headspin” is speed metal to the max with an infectious chorus and “The Hunter” showcases building intensity and chaos that smashes into the chorus like a pressure release valve. Swaggering tunes like “White Lie” and “SOS” are a great contrast with the thrash. I particularly like the use of the Morse Code SOS rhythm building up the song, which gets to another point about this release that I enjoy.
They know how to set a mood. “Outlaw” starts with a country feel moving into a quintessential Heavy & Western song worthy of The Comancheros. “Burn” is an emotional and melancholic song that showcases some well crafted solo and lead work that fits into the emotions of the songs. Even “The Cold” conjures images of coldness in the musical timbre, tempo, and songwriting. It isn’t just setting the mood, but their ability to switch seamlessly from thrash to an introspective emotional bridge (and vice versa) is masterful. How they construct the songs feels unique, eschewing the typical song structures making the songs feel fresh.
Next is Jenea’s work on the mic. Seldom have I heard a female metal performance like this that matches the intensity of the band while retaining a feminine air. She is a dynamic, intense, sultry and even seductive performer who is like a siren to sailors of the heavy metal seas. Her voice plays in a great sonic area with the music and she has great melodic sense and vocal control, showcasing well-executed bluesy pitch bends.
The weak spots are rather minor. For example, the ballad “Falling Awake” is pretty good, but the heavy guitars coming in toward the end felt too much in the forefront for the mood being set. Also, the heavy guitar tone felt like it was missing richness. The less tangible is that the songs sound great, set the mood well, but somehow don’t stick with me. Maybe because it nails a well-worn genre that then gets lost next to other heavy metal that is seared into my brain.
Hangfire really shines on “Burn,” which is in no small part due to Jenea. That said, Steve, Sean, and Shannon (S3?) are still a tremendous force with excellent riffs, speedy drums and killer solos. My hope for them is to find a great vocalist and start blazing a new path forward. I love their blend of the emotional with thrash metal, so hoping that is part of the equation. Really great stuff here!
Rating: 9.0/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist
1 – Hunger
2 – Thunder
3 – Warhawk
4 – White Lie
5 – Headspin
6 – Falling Awake
7 – SOS
8 – The Hunter
9 – Outlaw
10 – Burn
11 – The Cold
12 – Fire In The Night
Hangfire is:
Jenea Fiore – vocals
Sean “Shredder” Searls – guitars
Steven Tobeck – bass
Shannon “The Cannon” Laird – drums
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Record Label: Rottweiler Records
Social Media: Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Bandcamp
Videos:
The Hunter (Official Music Video)
Headspin (Official Music Video)