(Power Metal) [CD] DivineFire - Discography ( European ed. ) 2005-2011 (5 CD) , APE&FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Holy smokes, what is this? DIVINEFIRE? Never heard of… Another incarnation of NARNIA fronter Christian Rivel, but so different from what I had expected from him. OK, the intro with keyboards and spoken word (an excerpt from the Book of Revelations) is nothing that different, but right after “The World’s On Fire” unleashes an at first bombastic and then pretty darn heavy Power Metal breaker that grazes thrashy regions and then even includes some growls by Hubertus Liljegren, heavy, bombastic, melodic, with strong vocals, this is how RHAPSOSY on Thrash could sound, or something like that…

Yes, Christian is supported by guitarist/keyboarder/drummer Jani Stefanovic (AM I BLOOD) and bassist Andreas Olsson, on top of that he also gathered a whole army of guest musicians: NARNIA’s Carl Johan Grimmark, Fredrik Sjöholm and Torbjörn Weinesjö (both VENI DOMINE), Eric Clayton (SAVIOUR MACHINE), Hubertus Liljegren (CRIMSON MOONLIGHT) and Thomas Vikström (TALK OF THE TOWN, Ex-CANDLEMASS), quite impressive, eh?

So it is Power Metal that DIVINEFIRE offer to the Metal community here, with a few RHAPSODY influences in the bombast, but at least two gears heavier and with just great arrangements (don’t get me wrong, I love RHAPSODY, too!), as the layered chorus of “Never Surrender”, embedded in a powerful song that is driven by heavy guitars and tight drums, with the playful and epic keyboards forming a very good contrast, absolutely great double! And it continues like that, “The Sign“ is underlaid with double-bass, yet still mid-paced, crowned by a super catchy chorus, which finds its way into your ear right away, great!

But DIVINEFIRE do not only march straight ahead, but also master the art of measure, “Pay It Forward“ is a brilliant ballad that steers clear of kitsch, despite the quite extensive use of keyboards, before they erect a true epos with “The Spirit“, ten minutes, with Christian Rivel, Hubertus Liljegren, Eric Clayton and Fredrik Sjöholm, so four singers, epic, variable, strong!

After having observed Christian in several projects and bands now, I have to say that DIVINEFIRE have created the so far heaviest and most varied album, which masterfully combines bombast and heaviness and shows, where RHAPSODY could stand with a big increase in heaviness. I really hope that “Glory Thy Name“ is not a one off thing, but that there is more to come, because this is strong, damn strong!
Taken from The Metal Observer

Jani Stefanović Guitars, Keyboards, Drums, Programming
Christian Rivel Vocals (lead)
Andreas Olsson Bass

Hero is Divinefire's second album and with a lot of bands, a sophomore release can be a band's downfall. With the release of Hero, Divinefire have proven that they can hold their own against secular artists while completely annihilating old material.

The added usage of harsh vocals on this album is a big turn on for me considering I like my power metal with a little aggression. They do a great job incorporating that element without making it seem cheesy or overdone. Jani Stefanovic is a great asset to the vocal department. I have always liked Christian Rivel's voice and find him to be one of the strongest vocalists in power metal.

Guitar tones have always been an issue with me with any band and that's one of the main things I look for when listening to an album. On Hero, the tone fits perfectly with their strong structures, especially since they use a keyboardist. They are very heavy and very discernible. I also love their use of attention keeping solos. Great job.

The unrelenting aggression on this album should make them more known within the metal community but because they possess Christian beliefs, they are criminally underrated. If more metalheads looked past an image and a message and listened to the music, they would hear amazing talent and originality.

If you are serious about power metal, this is a serious album for you to bang your head to.

Christian Rivel – Lead Vocals
Jani Stefanovic – Drums, Guitars, Growls, Keyboards & Programming
Andreas Olsson - Bass

Once again, Divinefire has exploded onto the power metal scene with unrelenting fury and passion. Into A New Dimension is a great follow-up to Hero, which in my opinion, is their heaviest and most diverse album in their catalog.

Another Divinefire album, another display of great power metal production. They kept the same guitar tone as the last album but it doesn't take away from anything. It makes it just as good. Every song offers something good to keep your attention and keep your head banging. The riffs are just as creative and quick.

Christian Rivel's vocals have not wavered in any album of their's and that includes Into A New Dimension. I love the use of harmonies on this album. It creates a great dynamic.

Not only does Jani Stefanovic play amazing guitar but he also plays great drums and shows his talents on this album by playing both guitar and drums on the album. To me that's the best kind of musician. He doesn't overplay anything on this album to take away from the core structure of the song. Great musician.

Overall, if you're looking for a great follow-up to Hero, this is your album. Run out and get it immediately!

Review Written by ConquerTheBaphomet for www.metal-archives.com

Christian Rivel - Vocals
Jani Stefanović - Guitars / Drum Programming / Keyboards / Harsh Vocals
Andreas Olsson - Bass

Christian Liljegren has had enough of it. The vocalist from Narnia and Divinefire and owner of record company Rivel records feels it is time to take an intermission in his hectic life. He will be focussing onto his record company but he will end his vocal duties (for now?). In the case of Divinefire it also means the end of the band. A suitable title for the final album must not have been difficult to find: ‘Farewell’.

Next to Christian ‘Rivel’ Liljegren musical multi talent Jani Stefanovic (Essence Of Sorrow, Miseration, Mehida, and ex-I Am Blood, ex-Renascent) and bass player Andreas Olsson (Narnia, Rob Rock) are the other members of Divinefire. There are also quite some guest appearances. Carl Johan Grimmark (Narnia) has played the guitar solos on the album and Hubertus Liljegren (ex-Crimson Moonlight, brother of?) has done the heavier vocals.

The band wants to combine the heaviness from the more melodic extreme metal with the melodies from the symphonic style of hardrock/metal while also blending on beautiful vocal harmonies. Finally a band that knows to describe oneself for that is exactly what Divinefire brings! The stately forty minutes are packed with changes in atmosphere and pace, the miscellany between the grunts and the great voice of Christian and the switches between melodic death and power metal. The trio has interlaced the combination into a catchy fullness. And although their previous albums were far from wrong, the threesome seems to have saved the best for last. ‘Farewell’ is their most intense and brutal album; especially ‘Grow And Follow’ and 'Unity’ are good examples of it.
Responsible for the very good and fat sound of the seven tracks, which are enclosed by an atmospheric intro and outro, are the bands Christian Liljegren and Jani Stefanovic. They have provided the album with a bright, though powerful sound. This is like dying at one’s top; what a pity that this bands calls it a day after ‘only’ four albums!

Review written by Patrick - lordsofmetal.nl

Christian Liljegren - Vocals
Jani Stefanovic - Guitar
Andreas Olsson - Bass

Session Musicians:
Patrik Gardberg - Guitar
Anders Berlin - Keyboards
Andreas Johansson - Drums

DIVINEFIRE is melodic metal band featuring members from multiple countries. I believe they are now located in Sweden. This is a high quality release and has many different aspects to it. The song, “Unchain My Soul” sounds like death metal at the beginning and is unlike anything else on the album. The songs on the second half of the album are superior to those on the first half. This is indeed a multifaceted band. I am glad the dirty vocals aren’t present on too many songs. The guitar soloing is outstanding. When the shredding begins it is awesome. You can hear how fast the guitar pick is striking the strings, and it is simply fantastic, it sounds like something MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO would do. The Bio sheet states that this is a melodic metal band, but they are so much more than that. With the guest musicians involved, the band has so many distinct songs throughout the album that most bands do not. It is hard to pick a highlight of the album when everything is done so well. I would have to go with the soling if made to choose.

The song, “To love and Forgive” has the medieval festival flair to it that I dearly love. It reminds me of BLACKMORE’S NIGHT. Of course it gets heavier afterwards, but it was a nice intro that shows the depth of the band. The band also has a operatic vocalist on some songs and she (to my ears) does a very good job. The music is very memorable. I love some of the haunting melodies. I believe this album has the most up tempo songs of any band ever described as simply being “Melodic metal”. Such a term seems that it can mean many different things, which is why I stated it is so much more. There are power elements, the medieval intro I just mentioned and the vocals are intricate as well. Most of the songs have that “epic” element that you hear in the power metal genre, but the dirty vocals in some songs throw you for a loop. There is a lot to love here. The quality of the compositions shows a maturity that many bands strive for but fail to achieve. “Send me Out” is an up tempo song with some killer metal guitar riffing. The drums are up front and center and it really rocks with the elegant symphonic elements dispersed throughout the song.

DIVINEFIRE have proven they can mix it up and do a good job of it too. Some bands use a lot of different elements and proceed to fall flat on their faces. This is most certainly not the case here. Even though there may be a tremendous amount of things going on in a song, it doesn’t feel cluttered and I find this a very hard thing to accomplish. Nevertheless, DIVINEFIRE has done exactly that. “Never Surrender” is my favorite song on the album. It is very fast and has great lyrical content as well. As I said, this is a fast album for something labeled so simply as melodic metal. It really is superb. I recommend this release to all heavy metal fans, and I mean HEAVY metal There is no fluff here. Give it a spin, you won’t regret it.

Review written by Jonathan Maphet for www.metal-temple.com

Christian Liljegren - Vocals
Germán Pascual - Vocals
Jani Stefanović - Guitars, Bass, Drums, Orchestration, Harsh Vocals