Year : 1987-1994 (Music For The Masses Records Remastered Edition 2021))
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , Melodic Heavy Metal
Country : Italy
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 177 mb
Bio:
Firehouse (from Milan) actually released just the two albums with the self-titled debut coming out in 1987 and Labyrinth coming out in 1994 and then they split.The core of the band was the Caruso brothers with vocalist Enzo and guitarist Frank performing on both albums with new musicians brought in for Labyrinth before splitting and the Caruso’s then setting up the Italian rock band Arachnes. The first album was never actually released on CD and for a number of reasons, one of which being poor marketing, the band just never really achieved the big time and I guess the emergence of the American band was the death knell for them. In many ways, it is a pity that more didn’t hear these recordings are they are really rather good AOR with a great collection of hook laden songs and delivered in great style by a band that were ever so obviously influenced by the American melodic rock scene.Indeed, the band really does sound so American with vocalist Enzo Caruso being exceptional on vocals with accent free and perfectly delivered English vocals over which Franco lays down an array of ever impressive solos and riffs. For sure, there is a retro feel to the material but it is around 30-years old but due to the fact that there are still so many melodic rock bands around means that the music has actually aged very well and sounds just as fresh and vibrant today as it would have when first released.
Franco “Frank” Caruso – Guitar - Born in Milan in 1968, he started with classical studies playing guitar and piano at the age of 8.At 12 he published his first record, a 45 rpm for a melodic rock band called MACID. At 17 he founded FIREHOUSE, a band formed by schoolfellows that will release a couple of albums, one of which (LABYRINTH), distributed all over Europe. Critically acclaimed guitarist, during the 80 's and early 90 's he collaborated with several Italian artists and thus began the sessionman activity in various recording studios,working among others with Franco Battiato in addition to other major musical productions of the Italian music scene. In 1992, after graduating in sacred music, he opened his own recording studio where he begins the realization of soundtracks and music for television use, working with the major tv and radio stations (RAI - Mediaset - Radio 101 - Rock FM).In 1994 started a genuine collaboration with the Mediaset Group for which Frank realizes a series of commercials and some important jingles. Tired of producing music for other artists and the activity of session man, in '96 Frank decides to devote himself to a new project, and in '97, from the ashes of FIREHOUSE, the new project ARACHNES sees the light. In 1998 ARACHNES publishes "THE GODDESS TEMPLE" cd for Lucretia Records and the band attracts the attention of the entire international critics, appearing in compilation also by the side of bands like STRATOVARIOUS and ANGRA. In 2000 the first collaboration with the label Underground Symphony leads ARACHNES towards the release of the 4 track cd "METAMORPHOSIS", which marks definitively the change of style of the band now definitely Power /Prog/Symphonic. In 2001-2003 period the Band works with Scarlet Records and forms a fabulous triad of worldwide distributed albums with great success of audience and critics:- 2001 PARALLEL WORLDS released and distributed in Europe and South America , - 2002 APOCALYPSE which will open the doors to the Japanese market , - 2003 PRIMARY FEAR that confirms and strengthens the presence of the band in Europe and Japan.At the same time Frank continues the musical production for television broadcast and in 2005 he finishes the recordings of "IN PRAISE OF SCIENCE" only published in 2006 due to label choices. In 2006, after months of negotiations with various labels, Frank decided to repeat the collaboration with Undergound Symphony already experienced in 2000, and he starts working on his solo project "KALEIDOSCOPE", an album that Frank describes as: "It is the expression of pure guitar fun without no supposed commercial aims and outside the market trends, a joyful succession of notes just for music's sake". This "purely artistic"choice heads the production more to the distribution via the internet, involving even the great publisher GUITAR9 and thus distributing this Frank Caruso solo-cd in America. Between 2006 and 2007 meanwhile he realizes a new package of 20 blues-style songs for television use and since January 2007 he has begun to devote himself to the fantastic new project called DARKLIGHT that also includes a feminine entry. Since November 2007 Frank worked with the important magazine COMPUTER MUSIC & PROJECT STUDIO drafting articles concerning digital recording.In 2008 he began a new guitar project called STRINGS 24 releasing, the year after, the first self-titled album (STRING 24) for the well-known label "Lion Music". After that, "SPEAK" the second cd is out in 2011 published by Videoradio Editions.Also in 2011 he published "A NEW DAY" the new chapter by historic band Arachnes, available in digital download only from Lion Music and distributed in a special edition version by Globalsoundnet.com
Album:
Music for the Masses just released this 2-disc digipak “The Story Of Italian A.O.R. Band 1987-1994“, comprising all the recordings from Italian AOR / melodic rockers FIREHOUSE. Not to be confused with the famous American band of the same name, this Firehouse (from Milan) actually came first (formed 1985) and released two albums, with the self-titled debut coming out in 1987 and ‘Labyrinth’ in 1994 before they split.Long time out of print both albums fetched exorbitant prices at auction sites, even the 1987 debut never was released on CD until now, completely remastered and out in a limited numbered edition.Musically first album ‘Firehouse’ is very AOR driven in a style very close to EUROPE, still including hard rocking songs, while ‘Labyrinth’ has that early Nineties melodic hard rock feel with sharper guitar work. Both records are really rather good AOR / Melodic Rock with a great collection of hook laden songs and delivered in great style by a band that deserved better promotion & marketing.Besides the EUROPE & Scandi influences this Italian FIREHOUSE really does sound so American (especially second album) with frontman Enzo Caruso being ‘very Eighties’ with accent free and perfectly delivered English vocals over, while Franco lays down an array of ever impressive solos and riffs.For sure, there is a retro feel to the material but due to the fact that there are still so many melodic rock bands around means that the music has actually aged very well and sounds just as fresh and vibrant today as it would have when first released.1987’s ‘Firehouse’ production has that typical reverb loads from the era and while little thin production this remaster takes the best of it, while 1994’s ‘Labyrinth’ is more robust and punchy.There will be people out there overjoyed with this re-release and a chance to get a fresh copy, and for the rest of us it gives us a chance to listen to a fine collection of cool AOR tunes from yesteryear, also if you are into melodic rock then there is much here to enjoy and savour.The digipak is only being released in a very small edition of 300 which may be a mistake as I’m sure that many more will want a piece of this when they hear some songs – if not, I hope that the record label will release it on streaming and digital platforms, as to celebrate “The Story Of Italian A.O.R. Band 1987-1994” the band – still active – re-recorded 2021 the ’87 song ‘The Secret of the Sky’ given as bonus with the purchase.
Line-Up:
Enzo Caruso – Vocals, Keyboards - See also: Arachnes, Frank Caruso, Marco Campanella, Macid, Magnetic Draem, Panda
Franco “Frank” Caruso – Guitars, Backing Vocals - See also: Arachnes, Darklight, Frank Caruso, Strings 24, ex-Maze of Heaven, Back to Back, Macid
Marco Panzardi, Paola Casalini – Bass
Corrado Ciceri – Drums, Backing Vocals
Gianluca Scollo – Drums
Giuliano Airaghi – Keyboards
Tracklist:
CD1: Firehouse 1987
01. Overture 987
02. The Secret of the Sky
03. Open Your Wall
04. Way Out for Freedom
05. Pray
06. Tyme to Fly
07. Dreaming Black
08. Break the Ponds
09. The Day of Your Power
10. House of the Fire
11. This Is My Life
12. The Secret of the Sky (2021 Version Digital Bonus)
CD2: Labyrinth 1994
01. I Need The Fire
02. Calling Your Name
03. In My Eyes
04. Striking
05. Running Into Danger
06. The Prince Of Darkness
07. Labyrinth
08. A Dream Again
09. Stonework
10. Fly By Night
11. The Color Of Your Kiss
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
