Firemuffins

I know what you’re all thinking. You’re thinking, “This blog needs more epic metal!” And you are correct. That’s why I’m pleased to bring you the epic melodic death metal band Blackguard out of Quebec, Canada. That’s right, another metal band from the great white north. After moving from Nuclear Blast Records to Victory Records, they’ve released their second full-length album Firefight, and it’s a wicked good time.

“Tephra” opens things in true epic metal fashion, making full use of what sounds like an army marching to war. The title track picks up exactly where the intro left off.  Kim Gosselin tears it up on the lead guitar, while Terry Deschenes handles the rhythm parts, Étienne Mailloux owns the bass, and Justine Ethier helms the drum kit masterfully. Finally, Paul Zinay’s absolutely brutal screams tear through the airwaves and you have a truly epic band. This band blends elements of epic metal and melodic death metal perfectly for a truly intense experience. “Farewell” opens with the melodeath side of things, but quickly mixes in the epic and power metal influences. Oh, and just because they weren’t content to leave things at that, they have at least one ridiculous solo in every song – and they’re all amazing. “Wastelands” uses a similar style intro to the first track to build atmosphere and momentum before the floodgates are opened and the full force of Blackguard is unleashed. This band must be channeling everyone from Nightwish to Insomnium, because they incorporate everything about epic power metal, operatic metal, and melodic death metal that make those genres so impressive into “Cruel Hands”.

“Iblis” gives us a quick break from the pummeling Blackguard has delivered thus far. An acoustic guitar with some atmospheric synth provides the backdrop for a female vocalist that puts forth a truly haunting performance. They don’t waste any more time, though, and pick up right where they left off with “The Fear of All Flesh”. Once again pulling from the examples of Nightwish and Kamelot, they keep the synth in the forefront on “A Blinding Light”, but they make the sound their own by pairing it with some melodeath-style guitars in the vein of Amon Amarth. “The Path” gives us what I can only describe as a little taste of the 80’s, minus the really crappy production quality, combined with Zinay’s crushing vocals. The album closer “Sarissas” pulls from Nightwish’s catalogue one last time as this Canadian powerhouse finishes things off strong.

Blackguard have really brought something unique to the table. They’ve taken elements from multiple genres and melded them together for a truly unique sound. So go pick up Firefight. It’s an epically good album that you don’t want to miss.