Year : 1990 (Retroactive Legends Remastered 2017)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , Christian Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans + Videos
Size : 118 mb
Bio:
One of the strongest influences in modern Christian metal history is that of powerhouse GUARDIAN. Albums like First Watch or Fire and Love are considered by many not only as some the greatest Christian metal records ever released, but in US Hard Rock history in general.After a long and successful career, Guardian went on hiatus in the early 2000’s, leaving many fans wanting more and wondering if the band would ever return.Fast-forward to 2014 and, not only are Guardian back, but they’re back at full force, led by longtime frontman Jamie Rowe and the rest of the classic 90’s-2000’s lineup fully intact.Their return record released today, "Almost Home", sees the band in top form still keeping true to the beloved Guardian sound.Kicking it off with “Boom She Says,” the record opens with a catchy bluegrass intro that blasts into an explosive hard rocking track that shows the band still has it, and Rowe’s singing is still that raspy rock voice that gives you chills just listening.Next up we have the lead single “The Real Me” that has a hard bluesy feel to it, a feel that carries on throughout most of the record. “The Real Me” is a perfect choice for the lead single. So many times we see bands choose a first single that doesn't show us what the album will even remotely sound like.With this song Guardian shows us what we can expect from the majority of the record and its clear Guardian are back with a vengeance."Show Me What You Got," a blistering interlude, shows one of the most powerful, scorching and mind-destroying guitar solos and riffs we’ve seen from Guardian and blows the doors off everything we've heard so far and sets the tone for the rest of the record, which features some impressive, inspiring and heavy-hitting ballads and some of the hardest material.It's in the straight-ahead hardrocker, "King of Fools," that the quintet really and truly hit their collective stride. Sounding as if it could have been composed during the sessions for the superlative 1995 Buzz record, the energizing cut has a tighter melody, more impressive guitar pyrotechnics and a higher swagger quotient than the sum total of all six of the compositions that preceded it.Along those same lines, "Paranoia Kills" sees "Fools" and ups the ante; tossing in an even grittier rhythm and a welcome dose of the band's trademark bluesy riffs.Then we have a catchy, melodic infectiously buoyant entries like "Price We Pay" and "Free", which are the sort of stick-in-your-head ditties most listeners could probably hear once and sing, note-perfectly, from memory two weeks later. Even more remarkable, though, is the slightly-countrified, acoustic-based title track, whose high-lonesome harmonies, gorgeous arpeggiatic fret work and poignant lap steel embellishments (the latter courtesy of Phil Madiera) render it nothing short of awe-inspiring.Guardian have recorded a more than solid comeback album that leans heavily on their '80s / 90s roots, adding a touch of modernity especially in the crisp but potent production.Fans of the US hard rock sound & style from the era will be thrilled upon listening "Almost Home", a record that set the stage for Guardian and put them on the map again.
Album:
Freshly remastered from the original tapes, at the very end of past year RetroActive Records released "Fire And Love", GUARDIAN's finest moment, including an exclusive bonus track.The second release from Guardian was something of a breakthrough for the band.After being dropped from the Enigma label, they found a new lead vocalist in former Tempest singer Jamie Rowe and was signed to Pakaderm Records, the imprint label of the production sibling duo John & Dino Elefante (Kansas, Mastedon).Fine songwriting, of course, also helps take things to the next level from how "Fire And Love" features 10 equally good songs characterized by ‘big guitars, big hooks and (and even bigger) choruses’ (as taken from the group's press material).Nowhere does Guardian better exemplify this than on opening cut “Power Of Love”, a classic melodic hard rocker in which a ton of groove laden bass (courtesy of David Bach) and gritty guitar riffs (credit Tony Palacios) touch upon equal parts commercial and driving. Great, great song in which the group recorded a music video (I am uncertain if it ever aired on MTV).“Send A Message” maintains the commercial leanings but in the more up-tempo package.bExuding buoyant energy front to back, the song paints the backdrop with some keyboards. Palacios literally melts the fret board with one of his trademark inspired guitar solos.“Time Stands Still” tempers impetus with its airy mid-paced AOR qualities. Guitars might settle somewhat in the backend while keyboards play the more forthright role, with emphasis on the hook driven asserts. Standing out every bit much are the groups graceful backing vocals not to mention Rowe, whose gravelly delivery shines within a lighter musical framework.Guardian can do the ballad thing as well as anyone, and such is the case with “Forever And A Day”. This one slows impetus even further, as keyboards play a more prominent role as does acoustic guitar (but not to a fault either way), while the eloquent lead guitar enhance the stirring atmosphere at hand. Of note is how the pronounced low-end makes “Forever And A Day” come across heavier than it actually is.The album returns to upbeat hard rock territory on “Takin’ On The World”. This one kicks in to full on momentum from the get go, with a ton of heartfelt groove and dogged guitars (again, noting the Bach and Palacios partnership) allowing for a heavier edge but not without the silky Guardian backing vocals providing a smoother touch.The album scintillating title track ensues and further play up the melodic hard rock qualities, albeit in not quite the same effervescent framework. The group’s penchant for catchy hooks and decisive energy, nonetheless, remains unchallenged, as does its inherent sense of the radio friendly.Which leads to the question at hand: where was FM radio back in the day? Perhaps playing too much ‘hair metal’, while criminally overlooking an album in Fire And Love chock full of choice material deserving airplay.“Turnaround” returns things to an up-tempo form. By far the album's heaviest track - the big background vocal driven refrain proves near mesmerizing in heightening energy levels further.Slowing things to a mid-paced romp is “Time And Time Again”, bottom heavy and melancholy but accessible all the same, the song drips with emotion in switching between its elevated first chorus and darker and more resonant second. In the end, what we have is as fine a deep cut you will find that helps make a great album even better.Speaking of which, “The Rain” is one of the highlights as the group's digs deep to take the bluesy aspects to the next level.Final ballad “Never Say Goodbye” closes the album. As with everything here, Guardian performs it with a ton of class as acoustic guitar and hints of slide guitar convey the song its lush distance.Extra track “Take Up Your Cross” - a studio song recorded shortly after Guardian signed with Pakaderm Records - is neither a muddy demo or second rate bonus track.Rather, it is an album worthy blues based worship rocker upheld acoustically with ample does of harmonica and clasping hands.Production might have been quite good to begin with, but the RetroActive remastering takes things to the next level. As is often the case with re-releases to older albums, volume levels increase to align with that of modern records with the upshot that much more detail standing out in the background.Keyboards now comes across better defined, while same applies for acoustic guitar (on the two ballads) and bass (entire album). Guitars deliver added punch in terms of the foreground."Fire And Love" (1990) is considered by many to be Guardian’s finest release, and for good reason. Jamie Rowe brought a new level to the vocals, bringing the songs a strength I doubt the previous singer could have.Featuring some fantastic crank-’em-in-the-car melodic hard rockers in the vein of GIANT, WINGER and FIREHOUSE this is a must listen for every melodic rock lover.
Line-Up:
Jamie Rowe - Lead and Backing Vocals
Tony Palacios - Guitars, Backing Vocals
David Bach - Bass, Backing Vocals
Karl Ney - Drums
Tracklist:
01. Power of Love
02. Send a Message
03. Time Stands Still
04. Forever and a Day
05. Takin' on the World
06. Fire and Love
07. Turnaround
08. Time and Time Again
09. The Rain
10. Never Say Goodbye
11. Take Up Your Cross (Bonus Track)
+ Video "Power of Love" (Official Video)
+ Video "Never Say Goodbye" (Official Video)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
