Melodic Rock, AOR, Hard Rock, Prog, Classic Rock news
Highly praised worldwide – and in this blog too – the first album from Swedes SAFFIRE combined melodic hard rock with AOR in equal parts. But for their second effort “For The Greater Good” the guys have gone even further; this is a fascinating melodic hard rock album exploring many territories and melodies through inventive arrangements and sounds. “For The...
The guys from Gottenburg, Sweden based band SAFFIRE used to play commercial rock and covers at their home town during the last decade when they decided to reach back their roots of ’70s and ’80s influences.
After many years developing a style they were ready to debut on CD with “From Ashes To Fire”.
Saffire’s musical delivery is quite interesting, blending classic Hard Rock and Progressive with a modern approach. The music is built over strong guitar riffs mixed with old-school influenced vocals, shrilling guitar solos and some occasional ’80s Scandi-sounding keyboards.
The songs are well-crafted and varied depending upon a solid rock groove, melodies, and hooks in both lyrics and arrangements to propel them. Several good examples of this come with “Magnolia”, “Freedom Call” and “The Betrayer’s Fate”. The latter two also shows the fine keyboard placement occurring in all the songs.
While the Hard Rock vibe is ever present, Saffire offers a lot more than that. Sure there is the occasional cowbell, the too-present tambourine, straight riffs, Hammond organ at places, but there is also a sense of something more.
