Frontiers [Release date: 18.02.22]

Classic Metal band, Spirits Of Fire release their second album, Embrace The Unknown.

The band was formed from scratch in 2017 by Chris (Savatage) Caffery, Steve (Testament) DeGiorgio, and Mark (Fates Warning) Zonder with the estimable Tim “Ripper” Owens on vocals. It was no surprise that this formidable lineup’s debut made a considerable impact on genre fans, but music critics reserved judgement, suggesting these old hands were treading water.

Owens has departed and Fabio (Rhapsody of Fire/ Angra) Lione has stepped up to the mic. Producer Roy Z has been replaced by Aldo (Secret Sphere) Lonobile. It’s a good match. As well as their shared Italian nationality, Lonobile and Lione’s respective bands aren’t a million miles away from each other in style and presentation.

And they’re on the same wavelength here. The bombastic, symphonic stuff has been sidelined in favour of meat and two veg classic heavy metal.

Caffery is the key man of course. He’s written almost all the material, and no doubt had a big say in the arrangements and the production.

His gutsy guitar crunch sets up Lione’s knockout vocal punch on opener, ‘Second Chance’. It’s a foot-on-the-monitor, pedal-to-the-metal barnstormer, with power metal overtones.

The stomping, riff heavy ‘Resurrection’ and the epic, theatrical ‘Sea Of Change’ see Lione at his best, emoting powerfully and gracefully, each approach dependent on the moment and the mood.

Caffrey’s hooky guitar wizardry lifts ‘Wildest Dreams’ up and out of a riff that’s maybe too much fat and not enough muscle, yet settles into a satisfyingly streamlined heavy metal groove on ‘Into The Mirror’, one of the album’s standout tracks.

This is not groundbreaking metal, it’s not designed to be. The band’s rolling current of high voltage noise, surrounding tough but buoyant melodies, leans heavily into classic, heavy metal traditions.

Let’s just say that Embrace The Fire will do us fine until the next album of groundbreaking metal comes along. ***1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 6 April (Fifth Anniversary!)

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 23 February 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 25 February 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 10 March 2025

THE SOUL REVIVAL Outlaw (indie)
WHEN RIVERS MEET Addicted To Love (indie)
ISABELLA STORM Satan’s Valentine (indie)
KEYSTONE Slow Down Honey (indie)
THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE Sleep Tonight (Metropolis Records)
SAWMOON Madness (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 10 March 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.