Finnish metal act Burning Point returns with another full-length release, The Blaze. They have added to their growing list of releases which dates back to the early 2000s. Burning Point have a strong influence from classic metal eras, such as the 1970s-80s. This has made them a popular choice for their hard rock sensibility that has brought joy to their listeners throughout the years. With no signs of slowing, Burning Point’s latest record could show that they are still able to expand their artistic abilities and make quality projects.
Burning Point’s album starts with “Master Them All” and it is obvious which direction they are going. The band has a sound that clearly comes from Judas Priest, Iron Maiden. This track is a combination of the band’s well-structured instruments and Nitte Valos’s stunning vocals. The style continues with “The Time Has Came”, which features synth use that is very similar to the 1980’s theatrical metal style. While this presentation may appear cheesy initially, it quickly evolves into a more complex piece of music. The guitar sounds almost like it was created by Adrian Smith and Dave Murray, Iron Maiden’s guitarists. The vocals sound like they were influenced heavily by Ronnie James Dio or Rob Halford.
Other tracks, such “Dark Winged Angel”, “Chaos Rising”, and “Chaos Rising,” feature more creepy instrumentals. Their Vincent Price-esque presentation makes them sound like a less serious version of ghost. Although they can be too cheeky, these tracks manage to strike a good balance between being lighthearted and featuring some very hard hitting music. Tracks such as “Incarnation”, “Lost in Your Thoughts” and “Things which Drag Me Down” have a more accessible approach, but they don’t feel too restricted in doing so. It’s a great dose of fan-friendly, melodic metal that makes full use of its influences to help the band’s sound.
The album has a lot of old school metal and one wonders if the band is too nostalgic from time-to-time. The Blaze does a good job, actually quite the contrary. The homage to old eras is enjoyable but can sometimes become repetitive towards end of album. The theatrics of “The King is dead, Long Live the King” can wear off and songs start to feel longer. This is why the strong closing track, “Metal Queen”, breaks the trend. Its grandiose structure makes it a standout. The closing track, “Metal Queen,” features strong vocal harmonies and powerful instrumentals. This song shows just how good the band is when they are on top of their game and using all their strengths to create one of the most memorable moments on the album.
The Blaze does have some minor issues, but you can’t deny its well-conceived qualities. The album is very similar to the previous Burning point releases, but this is not necessarily their fault. Burning Point clearly has found their niche. They will undoubtedly continue to gain fans over the years, as they have done so well throughout their career. Burning Point is an excellent example of 1980’s hard rock. Their enthusiasm and Valo’s vocal range are a major reason why the band has created solid music that is worth listening to.