(Power Metal) Mastercastle - On Fire - 2013, WavPack (image+.cue), lossless

#777REVIEW FROM WWW.METAL-TEMPLE.COM:

One of my first reviews and one of the bands that made some impact on me since I started writing here in Metal Temple is MASTERCASTLE with their third album “Dangerous Diamonds”. It has remained a favorite one and I still like to listen to. It had great power metal compositions and I was in love with the guitar work of Pier Gonella and the beautiful voice of Giorgia Gueglio that were making that album really special. So obviously I was waiting their new album with anxiety and high expectations. And then in 2013, by the name “On Fire” comes the fourth album of MASTERCASTLE.

“On Fire” has nine tracks and a running time of approximately forty minutes. MASTERCASTLE takes a heavy metal approach this time, omitting most of the power metal elements existing in the previous record. However the guitar work of Pier Gonella is at the same neo classical, technical style. Out of nine songs the two are instrumental as it is the tradition with the MASTERCASTLE albums. “The Final Battle” and “Almost a Fantasy” are indicative again of the technical skills of Gonella. Concerning the rest, songs like “Silver Eyes”, “Platinum” or “Titanium Wings” are perfect examples of the music direction of the record. “Quicksilver” is the only song that is going on super heavy speeds and is more reminiscent of the Power Metal style of the band and “Gold Violet” is a sympathetic ballad but nothing extraordinary.

The lyrical theme of the record on the majority of songs is around metals with the exception of the instrumental songs. The lyrics are more or less ok but there were phrases like “I don’t give a shit” on “Titanium Wings” which were disappointing as I consider them like a cheap trick to finish a song. I find them unfitting for the kind of music and style I expect from this band. The vocal performance of Giorgia Gueglio is outstanding again and makes each song way better. Steve Vawamas is proving again that he is a solid force in the bass guitar while John Macaluso behind the drum kit is delivering a great performance in his first record with MASTERCASTLE. The production of the record is quite similar to the one on “Dangerous Diamonds” with guitars put on the front.

MASTERCASTLE might not be the most original band on the genre but the excellent female vocals and the virtuoso guitar work are of the greatest pros of the band. As I said before, I believe that “On Fire” is more Heavy Metal oriented compared to its Power Metal predecessor. The record has some really cool tunes but I had really high expectations from the band and I can’t say that I am eventually satisfied. This doesn’t mean that “On Fire” is a bad record at all but I believe that the songs are not as good as what I would expect. Still if you are into neo-classical Metal and female fronted bands definitely check them out.

REVIEW FROM WWW.DANGERDOG.COM:

I've always been rather impressed Mastercastle, the Italian melodic metal band created by expert guitarist Pier Gonella and fronted by the powerful vocals of Giorgia Gueglio. They return with bassist Steve Vawamas and newcomer the respected drummer John Macaluso (Ark, Yngwie Malmsteen, and James LaBrie). The strength of the band has always been the ability to create great sounding melodic metal songs with a rock groove, besides merely showcasing Gonella's amazing fret work.

That's what you get on their fourth album, On Fire. It's a worthy title: every song here will burn up your speakers with rocking melodic metal. That's not to say that Gonella doesn't get his turn. There's two instrumentals, The Final Battle and Almost A Fantasy, where he displays his significant guitar skills. And they're in the other songs as well.

You'll note that the other songs have some metal or reference to metal in the title. Lyricist Gueglio intended to write a concept album around metal, metallurgy, and alchemy. But she discovered that the words turned more sentiment and emotion, "the passion of making music in a difficult world." Considering the strength and pure entertainment value of these songs, any band could use a bit more of her passion. The songs with that burning rock groove leap from speakers with huge melodies and vocal arrangements. Notable are Silver Eyes, Leaden Roads, Platinum, with Giorgia's most haunting vocals, and the hugely addictive Chains (watch and listen above). Leaning more to the heavy metal side of things are Titanium Wings and the speedy Quicksilver. It's all good: some of the best songs Mastercastle has ever written. On Fire is strongly recommended.