I have been a huge Firewind fan since the release of "Alliegence". They have a mix of genres in their sound - ranging from Maiden style classic metal, European Power Metal, and even some Thrash metal in their!
This opus, The Premonition, is perhaps their greatest yet! The best thing about Firewind is Apollo Papathanasio's divine vocals. They are so varied...sometimes I just want to curl up and read and sometimes I want to go out and change the world (somehow)!
Of course, the rest of the band are incredible too! The guitar slick is top quality and the drumming dosn't stick out (this is good, as with many bands, the drumming is too noticeable, and in this genre, it detracts from the value of the performance) creating a very listenable album.
The cover of "Maniac" at first made me laugh, as I can remember my father playing this song to me...over and over! But it is a good adaptation, probably one of the better pop-metal covers!
Overall this is a fantastic album - catchy, lovely, beautiful, fierce and above all, meaningful.
For fans of : Kamelot, Dragonforce, Nightwish
Best Track : Mercenary Man