Rockstar Reviewer

  Words by Anselm Anderson Rambling Man's Reviews returns this week with another promising band from London, England. The Fires Below i s a band featured on these pages last year when their debut EP, Masquerade, was reviewed .  I remember describing how they would make a big impact with their grunge and punk style. Nine months later, the trio returns with "Thorns," their latest five-track release, showcasing more intensity, grooves, and metal than their previous work. The Fires Below formed two years ago during the pandemic lockdown. The trio consists of vocalist Smithy, bassist Si and drummer Sam. They have raised their expectations for this release by incorporating more variety into the tracks. They combine desert rock, alt-metal, punk, and stoner to create a hard-hitting and cutthroat style of metal, which strikes the listener through the ears. Lead singer Smithy confessed that the trio found their identity through their energetic live performances, helping the band g...

Words by Anselm Anderson The highly-anticipated debut EP from rising alt-rockers, The Fires Below , called Masquerade, was released last Friday. The EP includes four tracks packed with energetic rock, featuring in-your-face punk stylings blended with groove-orientated stoner metal riffs. The Fires Below is ready to make a big impact on the rock world. Formed during the London lockdown, the band includes Smithy's towering vocals, Del's thunderous drumming, Sam's crunchy riffs, and Si's rumbling basslines. Photo Credit: Lorenzo Guerrieri The band draws influences from bands like Sepultura, QOTSA and Sex Pistols. They blend intensity with social topics such as consumerism, greed and corruption in twelve minutes of rousing rock and roll. The emotional vocals of Smithy blend with the dual guitars and basslines.  The Grunge-infused "Masquerade" is full of mesmerizing, groove-laden riffs that are both captivating and haunting. Next up is "Another Day" by t...