Firewalker – “Firewalker”
Firewalker might be one of my favorite bands we cover but I’m guessing, most of who read this won’t know them.
They’re one of those bands who usually play at places like Hardcore Stadium, Democracy Center or underground all-ages shows. Which makes sense as they, pretty much, seem under age to me.
I became aware of them through promoter Viviam Gonzales, and through videos of live performances on youtube a couple of years ago. I loved them and I reviewed their 2016 demo.
“What they portray to me is the sound of a pure, punk band full of punk’s anger, emotion, integrity and spirit…the passion, the fun, the expression.. the wildness, the freedom, the truth- is right in front of your eyes and rolling inside of your eardrums.”
They have a diminutive, female vocalist named Sophie who shoots out fire with her voice in a heavy, death growl and a band that wields their instruments like weapons, like blow torches- scorching not only the scenery but burning your soul, as well.
They describe themselves simply as hardcore punk but pack the deadly, maelstrom of D-beat, power violence or any current music that is brutal, hard, real and true.
And it burns your soul. (Where have I heard that before?)
And it burns into the preconceptions of your mind, too.
But I can only speak for myself. Let’s see if you agree?
The second half of this release is songs from their first demo.
So I’ll only comment on the first six songs- that’s more than enough for me.
With a sweet, propulsive, pulsing drum beat and a jack hammer guitar riff, “Loaded Dice,” steps aside when the vocals roll in with its’ seething, death growl that seems to spin and whirl out at you like daggers poised at your throat. “Everytime I go outside, someone always puts me down. Every time I roll the dice, snake eyes always on the ground…I just can’t win.” But this song wins me over tremendously with its aggression, passion and intense excitement. A winner, even better than the Stones song, “Tumbling Dice.”
Starting with a chaotic collision of sound upon rhythm, “Barking Up The Wrong Tree,” moves ahead with the elegance of a panther and the bite of a scorpion along with a adrenalin, rush guitar riff baring it’s fangs at the end of every line. “Now that we know that might don’t make right. We will get rough and we’re going to fight.” (For me, I take this as a challenge to the patriarchy). This song is ominous and exhilarating at the same time. Much like how it’s fucking great and fucking great at the same time, also.
With a killer, metal guitar riff that reminds me of “Barracuda” by Heart, “Firewalk” is a short and concise and powerfully, awesome as hell.
“Change”- “We’re not the new breed, we’ve been here everyday.” I suppose there has always been art and music and literature that’s been exceptional and I feel- here’s more of the same. “‘Cause I don’t wanna be like you and I will not be changed.” I wouldn’t change a thing about this near perfect, passionate, powerful song. “Now get the fuck out of my way.”
“Darken My Door,” starts out with a potent riff and a guitar screech that leads into a fast paced rhythm with a dissonant chord change. Plus, a chorus that pulls up the rhythmic drive to allow a slasher like guitar rhythm to slice our sensibilities away, severed and tossed aside like so many discarded, unloved entrails. Then we’re back into the passionately punkin’, righteously rockin’ groove. My favorite song on this release.
“Something In The Air,” starts with a steady, punk beat and grinding guitars and growling vocals above it. “Walking these streets, living this life. Something in the air, feel different tonight.” An actual guitar solo, surprisingly, bubbles up before it’s another headlong dive into the succulent, satanic sludge served steaming, once again. “Watch out, it’s our turn to shout- changing the game, it’s your turn to be afraid.” (Patriarchy- you’re dying and the smell isn’t good). Another ferociously, frantic, fun and fearsome song.
Firewalker is one of my favorite bands we cover, (forget, might be), and I would hope that they become one of yours, too.
So if next time I write, “You probably don’t know this band,” you’ll say, “That stupid, old fool doesn’t know what he’s talking about!”
But I feel I do know what I’m talking about with Firewalker-
They take some of the best elements of punk, hardcore and metal along with the new genres as well, and come up with an original sound that balances heaviness and seriousness equally along with energy and excitement. They produce a music that is foreboding and lively at the same time, intensely somber ahd joyfully fun, simultaneously.
A firewalker is “someone who walks barefoot on burning coals- an entertainer who performs a dramatic or music work for an audience”.
What was that I said? You know, the part about burning souls?
(Slimedog)
