Hangfire – Burn
Release Date: 2nd May 2025
Label: Rottweiler Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Heavy Metal
FFO: Judas Priest, Hellion, Burning Witches, Warlock.
Review By: Mark Waight
A few years ago, when Sean “Shredder” Searls and Steven Tobeck crossed paths by chance it was only ever going to end one way, with a fabulous energetic album of pure unhinged heavy metal designed and expertly delivered to bring a big gawping grin to your mush! However, the guys did have to Hangfire for just a while after that initial meeting though, but that was only until they secured the services of drummer Shannon “The Cannon” Laird and outstanding rock vocalist Jenea Fiore to complete the fab four!
Hangfire began releasing singles back in 2023 so “Burn” has been coming for a little while now (you could almost say it has been cooking on a low heat) but as soon as you hear the opening couple of bars it instantly smacks you in the face that they’re on the cusp of something very special indeed. “Burn” is a very appropriate name for this fabulous album as it surely does burn white-hot right from the off and throughout, it is also a prime example of just how any debut album should sound.
There is passion, there is power play and there is exemplary music craft aplenty, Hangfire totally gel from the outset with Jenea’s awesome vocals adding that extra bit of grit to the mix. “Burn” is so hot, the only question you should really be asking yourself is can I handle all this heat? If you can, read on, if you can’t, my advice is to get out of the kitchen now!
Hangfire is Jenea Fiore (vocals), Sean “Shredder” Searls (guitar), Steven Tobeck (bass) and Shannon “The Cannon” Laird (drums).
Having you instantly hooked from the start, the stunning opening track won’t ever ease or quench those “Hunger” pangs, in fact it will build them up, leaving you craving for more. Next up and keeping the pedal firmly to the metal “Thunder” rolls in hard ‘n’ heavy in like a category 5 hurricane so buckle up and hold onto your hats, we are all in for one hell of a ride!
Sticking strictly to the script, “Warhawk” is a classic traditional metal tune with an awesome chugging riff and a monstrous finish where Jenea gets to show her softer side, this is complimented and enhanced by an equally fabulous guitar solo. It would certainly be a “White Lie” if I said I didn’t love this album by now because I most assuredly do, it’s going to be a modern classic and no mistake!
By this stage in proceedings, you will almost certainly be in a complete “Headspin” as those bangers keep coming at you wave after wave, like a regiment of battle hardened stormtroopers! They’re fast, they’re furious, they’re unstoppable and they’re relentless! Beautiful ballad “Falling Awake” slowly builds up in intensity to a blistering finale, this is pure classic rock at its very, very best. Just like fine wine, these are the type of songs that simply mature over time and never actually get old! Thumping tune “S.O.S.” will surely have you screaming for help as you are pounded and pummeled into submission by this heavy on the hammer beating. We are down, but we are by no means out!
With the powder keg now officially lit, smoldering track “The Hunter” applies that little bit more pressure to your brain with this contemporary offering that pursues your soul with dogged determination. With more than a western tinge to it, the truly unruly “Outlaw” is a red-hot lowdown of a showdown between two different genres set in a dusty, windswept wasteland. Which one do you think is quicker on the draw? I will leave that to you to decide, partner!
Rising like a phoenix out of the fiery embers title track “Burn” slowly reignites the flame again, what starts out as a gentle tickle soon grows into a raging inferno that completely engulfs you in its demonic embrace as the flames lick higher and higher. Dousing the heat a little, “The Cold” brings things down a notch or two without ever fully putting it out. I could simply listen to this simmering stunner all day long!
Unable to hold on any longer, the emotions and feelings finally spill over in the grand finale and superb curtain closer “Fire in the Night”. Will you be able to resist hitting the play button once more? I couldn’t!
“Burn” is an outstanding debut album, so please don’t Hangfire, make sure you check it out as soon as it drops! Any fans of traditional heavy metal will be absolutely blown away by this red-hot yet super cool album, it will almost definitely “Burn” a permanent place in your heart and your playlist too! Very highly recommended!
(4.5 / 5)
