Trial By Fire probably isn't the most suiting name for this album. Being Stonecollar's first, it feels more like a trial by, I dunno? steam towel. Sure, each member of the band uses his respective instrument well; the vocalist has pipes, some of the riffs are excellent, and the drummer has a knack for keeping beats. But ultimately the prevailing feeling in the album is that of hesitance. It lacks the sort of balls-to-the-wall passion that good heavy metal and hard rock needs to thrive.
Review by wormdrink414 ››