Band:	Fire
Album:	...Ignite
Style:	Hard rock
Release date:	2006

01. Get Out Of My Way
02. Make Believe
03. Fire Flyer
04. Taste This (Rock N' Roll)
05. Manhunter
06. Goin' Down
07. Behind Your Eyes
08. Away For Good
09. Home And Dry
10. Conspiracy Theory

Beyond its national boundaries one might not normally associate Malta with Classic Rock. Fire, however, seem intrinsically linked with the genre.

"...Ignite" is the name of Fire debut release although the band has been in existence for several years now and most of its members are seasoned musicians. Comparitively speaking, this album seems to derive strong influences from Rainbow, Deep Purple, Thunder, Dare and the like. Another factor is immediately clear? re-inventing the wheel of Rock is nowhere on Fire's agenda.

On close examination these 10 songs reveal themselves as epitomes of well-written, if predictable, Hard rock songs. For example the album's opener, 'Get Out Of My Way', boasts a catchy chorus with a handful of hard rockin' riffs. 'Fire Flyer' also deserves to be singled out for its excellent guitar solos. 'Goin' Down' is the obligatory ballad and lead vox Kenneth Calleja sounds perfectly credible when handling the more melancholic aspect of Fire. His voice in fact emerges as bluesy and soulful rather than abrasive. The best moments, however, is left for the last. Try imagining Deep Purple's 'Burn' amalgamated with 'Black Diamond' of Stratovarius and you should get a vague idea of what 'Conspiracy Theory' sounds like. The talents of guitarists Pejxa and Robert Longo will surprise many and are sure to win over a great deal of respect for this band.

Lomgo is also responsible for the production of "...Ignite", which was recorded in his own recording studio. Obviously, he had a very good idea of what sound was the most appropriate, especially considering he composed most of the songs. Whether the outcome is an over-polished sound or not is debatable but personally I am of the opinion that this production was the best path that could be taken.

"...Ignite" was self-financed and self-released so anyone wanting a copy would best contact the band via the official website (see below). I also suggest checking out the personal site of Pejxa for some cool guitar licks. Opinions on this album would occupy opposite ends of the good/bad spectrum but if any of the bands referred to in this review mean anything to you, then you should check out "...Ignite" straight away.