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Burning in Hell > Burning in Hell > Reviews
Burning in Hell - Burning in Hell

Poncey, high-speed goodness. - 77%

Empyreal, April 25th, 2009

When it comes to Power Metal, there are some bands that just shine with originality and innovation, pushing the boundaries of music as we know it and providing unstoppable, timeless classic songs that will never get old and only grow on you with time...okay, this isn't one of those bands. Burning in Hell are basically a poor man's DragonForce without the annoying video game effects, but also without most of the killer sensibility for melodic hooks, which is a pretty fair compromise, I guess. These guys are Brazillian, so that means they basically should rule at making Power Metal, and I guess you could say they do. This stuff is highly entertaining and ridiculously rich in whiddly, squealing solos and double-bass drum cocaine-induced rampages, and while it isn't anything spectacular, it does make for a fun ride - think of it as the Big Mac of Power Metal; cheesy, fattening and incredibly addictive, but not timeless.

This stuff is not really that deep or layered. It's pretty simple, really: speedy riffs, high-flying and triumphant melodies and lots and lots of guitar solos. There are a lot of cool songs here, but mostly they're all jammed at the beginning, with the first three songs being the best ones. "Freedom" has a nice anthemic chorus and some soaring and triumphant melodies, and "Shadow of the Wars" is my pick for best song on here, with its hugely entertaining leads and dynamic structure. "End of the World" is a little slower and more melodic, and isn't it funny how the vocals are so low in the mix? I guess I have to give them credit for knowing their limits and not putting the guy up at the front of a mix when he isn't so talented, but I just feel like the guitars are a little too overwhelming at times. Not a big deal, since they are well done, but the problem remains.

So how does this album hold up at the end of the day? It's a bit soggy, a bit redundant, but also very entertaining and full of Power Metal goodness for those of you who can't get enough of the happy-clappy and fun sort of sound that just refuses to die. With other songs like the bouncy "Forever I'll Be There" with its lighter hooks, the epic "Slave of Darkness" and the very DragonForce-y "Last of the Dragons," complete with trilling melodies and a big sing-along chorus alike, Burning in Hell have crafted a very amiable and agreeable debut here. And look, they even have an eight minute epic in "Shedding Bloody Tears," too (and it is quite good)! It's like every D&D player's wet musical dream. But seriously, folks, this one is good. Get it.

Originally written for http://www.metalcrypt.com

Excellent debut - 94%

RoivasUGO, July 7th, 2005

Burning in Hell, a relatively unknown power metal band from Brazil has listed these bands as their influences on their site:
Gamma Ray
HammerFall
Iron Maiden
Blind Guardian
Helloween

However, a closer comparison would be Dragonforce with a sniff of Helloween. The fast riffing, excellent solos and "flower metal" feel is closely related to Dragonforce, but the songs are not as lengthy as Dragonforce's, which is truly a good thing.

The album starts off with Freedom, easily one of the best songs on the album. Catchy chorus, splendid guitar work, excellent song.

Shadows of the Wars is up next, and from the start it has that fast and happy feel to it. Again the catchiness in the guitars and the chorus, but in a good way.

The End of the World is not as good as the first two, but does his thing. It has a slower pace, which is good for the variation in the album, something BiH has well balanced.

Forever I'll Be There has the same slower pace as song 3, but this time it has something melancholic, and has another excellent chorus.

Slave of Darkness has a very, very weak doomy/gothic start and an awful title, but once you sit through the intro it's actually quite a good song, good composed and a nice upbeat rythm. The chorus is absed off the intro, which isn't a good thing, but it's still a decent song.

Welcome to the Battle is one of the weakest songs on the album. It's nice, but not more than nice either. A bit of a filler.

Last of the Dragons is a jump upwards and has a quality similar to the first two songs. The chorus is once again great, some fine riffing and the vocals are as steady as they've been throughout the whole album.

Sheding Bloody Tears is a lengthy song and takes more time to get into, time which I have not taken yet.

World of Illusion is a short skit that should have been placed earlier in the album, since there is also an intro. It does prepare you for the excellent final song.

Brave Warrior might just be the best song on the album, with a good display of the guitar's and vocal's capabilities. The upbeat rythm keeps you moving and the lyrics are standard honor-battle coolness.

The Battle will Begin is the outro, which is unnecessary but works anyway.

Overall, this album exceeds in vocal capabilities, great guitar work and excellent variation within the album. Recommended for any power metal fans.