Northern Flame: Twisted Reality | The Fire Of Metal Comes From The North
(2020 – Teosto/NCB)
It’s no secret that for quite some time now, Northern Europe—more specifically Scandinavia—has been the cradle of the best that metal has produced, at least over the past 30 years. Year after year we get thousands of releases, each one better than the last, and Northern Flame is yet another example with several unique features that we’ll discover through their latest work titled “Twisted Reality,” an album released in the fateful year of the pandemic—that is, 2020—but which has only recently reached our hands, thanks to the band’s kindness.
Hailing from Finland, Northern Flame is one of guitarist Niclas Buss’s projects; in addition to playing guitar here, he also contributes to two other projects as diverse as Hilastherion and Parakletos. Alongside his Hilastherion bandmates, Jari Ketola (on drums) and Trygve Strömvall (on keyboards), he is joined by Alexander Nybon on guitars and Simon Granlund on vocals to create a sound so different from the aforementioned bands that it’s hard to believe we’re talking about the same guys! But that’s exactly the case.
Northern Flame’s sound is rooted in melodic, classic Power Metal in the vein of Stratovarius or Sonata Arctica—to name just two fellow Finnish acts—but with notable differences in several aspects. In fact, it had been a while since I’d heard anything new in the realm of European-style Power Metal.
In that sense, “Twisted Reality” stands out for a sound that doesn’t move at the speed of light nor overload the mix, and with one obvious difference: Simon Granlund’s vocals, which possess a vocal range entirely different from what one might expect from a band like Northern Flame, and that is where one of the highlights of the band’s sound—and, naturally, of “Twisted Reality”—lies.
The album kicks off with an instrumental track bearing the album’s title. A classically composed piece featuring a sweeping guitar solo and strumming in an orchestral tone that sets the pulse of a firm, heavy foundation. It’s as if it were nothing more and nothing less than a work of classical music—all within the realm of Metal.
The real start comes with “Sanctification Of The World,” featuring the genre’s classic acceleration and a distinct tone compared to what’s customary, thanks to Simon Granlund’s vocal timbre, which takes Northern Flame’s sound down paths different from those typically found in Power Metal. “To The Throne” shifts the tempo to a mid-tempo groove, much closer to classic and melodic metal in a sort of ballad with a hint of epic grandeur.
But if we’re talking about truly epic ballads, “Shimmering Solstice” is undoubtedly the answer. In this atmospheric and heartfelt song, Northern Flame showcases its deep influence from classical and orchestral music. Here, Emma Backman makes her appearance as a backing vocalist, singing a duet with Granlund and lending the track a sense of grandeur.
“Glowing Flower,” with its keyboard-driven, very Stratovarius-esque style and a solid foundation, proves to be a more than interesting track, featuring background guitar phrasing that once again gives Northern Flame’s sound that distinct “classic” vibe. Things get much more progressive with “Broken Soul,” a clear demonstration of the band’s versatility. It’s simply a delight to enjoy the various riffs and guitar solos that adorn this interesting track.
It’s with “Stone Of Grace” that we encounter the quintessential sound of classic Power Metal. With just the right amount of speed and fitting backing vocals, it becomes one of the album’s most compelling moments. In contrast, “Fuel My Heart” showcases Northern Flame’s more melodic and introspective side, and “Heaven And Hell” is another epic—almost operatic, one might say—ballad, though it’s worth noting that it sounds grandiose and pretentious.
“Starfall On A Cold Winter” sweeps you away from the start with its full-throttle riffs and a hard, solid foundation, even though it’s just an instrumental where the guitars take center stage, showcasing a full-blown orchestra—not to mention the keyboards racing at full speed. It’s undoubtedly a beautiful piece of orchestral and classical music.
I found the ballad “Beautiful” very lovely, almost an operatic piece that reminded me a bit of the old Queen style, and as the final track, we have “Paradise,” a tremendous blast that leans more toward Classic Metal with killer riffs that take us into territory much closer to traditional Metal. Simon Granlund’s various vocal twists are impressive, giving a unique flair to one of the album’s best tracks. The ending is truly epic. A true vocal gem, no doubt, in the vein of old church hymns. Truly impressive.
Northern Flame is unlike anything else you might hear in the power metal genre. Yes, it’s true that their style draws on familiar elements, but their focus on foundations rooted in the most classic aspects of the music—combined with Granlund’s vocals—gives them a distinctive flair.
“Twisted Reality” is diverse, versatile, and doesn’t repeat itself, unlike what often happens in the genre. Quite the opposite. It features a carefully crafted collection of moods and different moments that make it far more than just interesting. Perhaps what it lacks is that extra twist to fully hook us with much more powerful choruses, but it’s clear that Northern Flame’s vision is something different from what’s customary in the Power Metal genre.
The album was recorded both at Niclas Buss’s personal studio and at Midas Studios, where the drums were recorded and the album was mixed. The result is a clear, powerful, and almost natural sound, without too many unnecessary effects.
As for the visuals, we have an eye-catching cover—perhaps not entirely original, but certainly the kind that leaves you pondering—and inside, a decent booklet featuring the lyrics and various photos of the Northern Flame members. In short, a classic, old-school release tailored for those of us who don’t trust the digital realm. It would be a huge win if this album were released on vinyl. Hopefully that happens someday.
Northern Flame has a music video for the track “Sanctification Of The World,” the single from this album, which we’ve included here so you can take a tour of this interesting band’s world. And as always, here are their social media links so you can easily find them online….
https://www.facebook.com/northernflameofficial
https://www.instagram.com/northernflameband
