Saturday, 11 August 2018

Fire Down Below - Hymn Of The Cosmic Man (Album Review)


Release date: June 08th 2018. Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Hymn Of The Cosmic Man – Tracklisting

1.Red Giant 02:10
2.Ignition/Space Cruiser 07:47
3.Saviour of Man 03:08
4.The Cosmic Pilgrim 09:16
5.Nebula 02:34
6.Ascension 07:46
7.Adrift in a Sea of Stars 11:08

Members

Sam Nuytens on the drums
Jeroen Van Troyen on rythym guitar and vocals
Kevin Gernaey on lead guitar
Bert Wynsberghe on the bass guitar

Review

Fire Down Below new album, Hymn Of The Cosmic Man is a major step forward for the band. As they have created a more cinematic and spaced out sound compared to their celebrated debut album. Newly signed to Ripple Music, the Belgian Spaced Out Rockers impress from the start with songs such as Red Giant and Ignition/Space Cruiser drawing the listener with heavy progressive stoner and trippy riffs.

The vocals from Jeroen adds real presence to the band’s music. The lyrics are gloriously OTT which is what you need for an album such as this. Taking influence from fellow Ripple Music artists – Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel. As both bands play a similar kind of music even with Fire Down Below playing a more cosmic based sound.

The album and the band are at their best when the longer songs appear as they have more time to create heavier progressive and psychedelic sounds. The shorter songs are very good as well. However they pale in comparison to songs such as Ignition/Space Cruiser, The Cosmic Pilgrim and Ascension and the brilliant epic final song – Adrift In A Sea Of Stars.

Hymn Of The Cosmic Man has a very cool story and narrative behind the story and the album cover does give you a good indication of what to expect. Obviously the mysterious spaceman/astronaut cover has been done to death recently but I admire Fire Down Below’s take on this theme.

Hymn Of The Cosmic Man is a thrilling and superbly entertaining album that becomes a better album with each listen. As the album immerses you with a barrage of heavy different sounds and leaves you wanting more.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. Hymn Of The Cosmic Man is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Ripple Music now.

Links:

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