Glasgow Kiss – Down in Flames
Release Date: 12th December 2025
Label: Eclipse Records
Stream
Genre: Alternative Metal, Modern Rock, Hard Rock.
FFO: Halestorm, Within Temptation, Nightwish, Wycked Angel, The Rising Fall, Distorted Times.
Review By: Mark Waight
Normal lifestyle protocol is to probably avoid being on the receiving end of a Glasgow Kiss or going “Down in Flames” at all costs. However, this superb debut album from Norwegian modern rockers Glasgow Kiss is as good a reason as any to tear up that particular rule book and get stuck in! So, let’s go!
Formed in Bergen, Norway in 2020 Glasgow Kiss is Charlotte Marlen Midtun (vocals), Daniel Anker-Goli (guitar), Sveinung Sween (guitar), John Erik Soltvedt (bass) and Frode Andreassen (drums).
Kicking off the party in style, old school rocker “Destiny” really sets the tone of what’s to come with some absolutely spiffing riffing and an up-tempo vibe that has you dangling on the hook right from the off.
Taking it down a notch and cranking up the bass, “Down in Flames” really let’s rip with plenty of fist pumping attitude and some hard rocking, off the hinges vocals that will have you screaming along in unison!
You are not “On Your Own” if you are already loving this cracking album release either because it’s an absolute banger. Some nifty changes of pace and a well worked hack-sawing riff cut deep and true as Glasgow Kiss ratchet up the heat!
Each brick in “The Wall” has stripes of old school with a modern twist running right through it like a seaside holiday stick of rock. If you love hard rock and metal, then this is one barrier that you will be chuffed to bits finding blocking your way!
No album is ever complete without a beautiful ballad, and the wonderful “One Last Time” ticks that box in grand style. The heart meltingly gruff rock vocals are spot on, and the mandatory guitar solo is perfection personified. Simply stunning!
Picking up the pace and punching harder than a world heavyweight champion, “Forsaken” has a burning fire in its belly that will leave you yearning for more and singing along at the very top of your voice. These guys certainly know how to rock!
Taking it to the next level, “Those Wasted Years” will not only have you turning back time, but also turning up the volume to max as you try to shake your bloody head off!
If I haven’t already persuaded you to check out “Down in Flames” by now, then “Put the Blame on Me” because this album is more than worth half an hour of anybody’s time!
“Down in Flames” is great fun and thoroughly entertaining, to coin an old phrase its “Rock Solid” from start to finish. It flirts with both the old and the new in a magical formula that works on every single level. Christmas has come early this year, so give yourself a festive treat, check out Glasgow Kiss and Stitch That! Very highly recommended.
(4.5 / 5)
