This was a strange one to review as I'm an indie kid at heart, therefore I find Heavy Metal and it's myriad of sub-genres a bit off-putting - but I have to say that after a couple of listens to FIREAPPLE RED'S new single "Despite It All", I was won over.
This is a great tune - filled to the brim with classic heavy metal riffs, aggressively driven guitars and drums, and (rather amusing) melodramatic lyrics, "Despite all this pain, I will breathe again!!!...". You could imagine a backlit Celine Dion wailing lyrics like that on the edge of a cliff in the middle of the night, choppy seas, gusting winds, etc. Oh dear, I've just realised that lyrically, this song reminds me of Celine Dion. Ahem...
Anyway, Titanic imagery aside, "Despite It All" is a bit of a corker. Fireapple Red are quite a cosmopolitan bunch of lads. They met in 1991 at the International School of Brussels, Belgium. It's possible that the cultural diversity within this band has contributed to the rather eclectic feel of their music. They incorporate metal, hardcore punk, and they have a death metal guitarist in there, just to spice up the mix.
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Heavy metal in any of its forms isn't generally my cup of tea. If a band like this can make an ex-indie kid who progressed into the gentle arms of alternative country music sit up and pay attention, then it shows how good their songs actually are. Its heavy, but melodic, and it's accessible enough to appeal to music lovers outside of their genre - yet they blatantly haven't sold themselves short - keeping true to their distinct mix of metal and hardcore punk. No guttural death growls either, thankfully.
(Currently signed to Visible Noise Records, Fireapple Red are releasing this single by download only. Available from November 14th.)
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