FIRE FROM THE GODS | American Sun | Album Review

Coming out of Austin, Texas are a group of rap metal revivalists known by the name Fire From The Gods. The band are now on their sophomore album, "American Sun", which is being released through Rise and Eleven Seven Records. Fire From The Gods is a band that is inaccurately placed on the same pedestal as other metalcore bands like Wage War and Like Moths To Flames, but as already stated there is a much bigger focus on the nu-metal/rap metal angle of their sound, comparable to bands like Sylar, The Fever 333, and especially BackWordz. The aspect that's also noticeable are the social issues incorporated into their lyricism that is stated to be a continuation of the themes on the band's debut album "Narrative". It has gone so far that they've even come up with the tagline "In Us We Trust". Taken from a statement by vocalist AJ Channer regarding the underlying themes of the album, "What we're trying to drive home is that our differences and where we are from doesn't need to define who we are moving forward... I'm telling the story from my perspective but it's a story that people from all walks of like can relate to in the sense that we all face the same challenges... and the only way to conquer them is if we face them together". It's a breath of fresh air to see a band hyped up as the next big thing going deeper with their lyrical content in an attempt to bring light to issues like addictive technology and depression, and it's without a doubt a recipe for success in many ways.

The album begins with the two pre-release singles "Truth To The Weak (Not Built To Collapse)" and "Right Now", both being released this past summer. If there are any songs to introduce music listeners to the main style of Fire From The Gods, you'd be hard pressed not to find a better set of songs. "Truth To The Weak (Built To Collapse)" is built on rapped verses leading into choruses that feature excellent hooks that rock radio would love. It's a great way to begin the album, and the delivery from Channer is well presented and flows well with the rest of the music. "Right Now" is the single that many rock fans are currently hearing on the air and is destine to get a high placement on the rock charts. And if it did manage to get further than it is now, it deserves it. "Right Now" is the perfect example of how to write a hook that sells the song mixed with lyricism about change in a society that is jaded. The chorus is one of the best I've heard all year and lines like "All the ignorance betrays a witness" stick out well in your mind as you listen. The music is just as solid with the drum performance and the guitar riffs working well. Every element is blended together phenomenally on this song and others thanks to Erik Ron's stellar production across the entire 13-track album. These two songs kick the door down and provide an intro to the construct of the themes and style showcased with the rest of "American Sun", and are just the starting point of the well executed music you're going to hear throughout its runtime.

As the remainder of this project plays out, it is noticeable that Fire Fron The Gods blend different styles on several cuts. Of course you get the hard rock and nu-metal mix across the album, but tracks such as "Trust", "All My Heroes Are Dead", and the title track feature some trap-styled beats. AJ Channer even mixes in a reggae-styled vocal style in with his regular delivery, and it is done well. The trap influence isn't jarring or overbearing either which is a relief. Other than that, the album remains pretty consistent with the style it has and the themes present, and it's pulled off in top-notch fashion. "They Don't Like It" features Sonny Sandoval of POD and both vocalists have solid chemistry all while being at the top of their game and Sandoval being the best I've heard him in years. "Trust" has an instantly catchy chorus that is a common trait this album goes for, with some other examples of excellent hook-centered cuts being "Victory", "Fight The World", "Out Of Time", "Make You Feel It", and album closer "Break The Cycle". The aggression takes its hold in tracks like "All My Heroes Are Dead" and "Another Level", both being standouts along with tracks like "Trust" and "Fight The World". "All My Heroes Are Dead" showcases that Channer goes all out in his vocal performance, specifically the chorus which is the moment where you really feel the passion behind his singing. "Another Level" is noticeably angrier and more relentless, which creates a sense of urgency in the heavy parts and especially the chorus. It's definitely a highlight on an album comprised of highlights, and it's safe to say that this band will meet the expectations of many with their sophomore project.

Looking at this in entirety, there aren't very many loose ends or filler moments featured on "American Sun". Sure, the album contains typical flaws such as some songs sounding similar and tracks varying in how good they are, but even with that, there is still a lot to this album. One of the loose ends is "Survivor's Prayer" which is basically a trap-rap interlude that is tacked in between two of the songs on this project. But, even with its trap influences it still fits decently with the album as a whole and it's then you realize that Fire From The Gods were able to follow up a solid debut effort with an utterly fantastic sophomore album that proves that this band is here to stay. Some newcomer bands fail to follow up to a project that put them in the limelight and got people to pay attention to them in the first place. Furthermore, there are many bands in a similar situation that opt to bow out of making any appealing music in favor of writing generic filler. Fire From The Gods are not one of those bands. There is so much on "American Sun" that will make this band one of the biggest names in rock music in the next decade. Overall, the sophomore project from Fire From The Gods is a continuation of the aggressive but conscious journey into political, environmental, and social issues the band looks into with expertise. If you are in any way interested by what this band has to offer, this band will take your expectations to another level.

RATING: 9/10

Leave your thoughts about this album in the comments section below. Was this album good or bad? Was it a surprise or a disappointment? All you have to do is type it in. Everybody's opinions matter even if they are different than mine. Scamp4553 will be back with more reviews and content coming your way soon.