STYLE: Rock RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 143609-21014 LABEL: Thumper Punk FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Paul S Ganney
This 14-track CD from a Brazil-based band is a "take no prisoners" power punk explosion. The opening track "Jesus Is Not Dead" leaps out at the listener with a great nine-note riff and the constantly repeated title. This is a leap-around-the-room-not-caring-who's-watching CD and with its solid Ramones-style rhythm, no-nonsense drumming, driving bass and uncompromising vocals (Sham 69 being my closest comparison) the effect is a bit like the Buzzcocks with a better guitar sound. Power punk isn't a cerebral lyrics style, it's a get-the-message-over-quickly genre and this delivers in spades. Covering classics was a hallmark of '70s punk and Living Fire do it with "Old Rugged Cross" (yes, the old hymn) - I can't see many churches singing this arrangement, but I liked it. They even have a go at Napalm Death-ism with the 22 second, 120mph "He Will Come Again" and Undertones with "Redemption Of His Love" (vocally bearing probably a bit too much resemblance to "Needles And Pins" by the Searchers). There's only one guitar solo on the entire CD and that's at the end of the final track. Classic. Best track: "One Way".
The opinions expressed in this article are
not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed
views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may
not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a
later date.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.
thanks for the review
get ready for Living Fire's upcoming album DEAD TO SIN