Ambush – Firestorm (2014)

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Ask and you shall receive! Shortly after reviewing the single for Swedish act - AMBUSH I have been asked to take on their debut full-length, and it does not disappoint. Honoring their native land's ancestors and souls of inspiration including: OVERDRIVE, HEAVY LOAD, TRASH, BISCAYA, SILVER MOUNTAIN, MIDNIGHT SUN, and ZONE ZERO, AMBUSH deliver a mescaline induced intermixture of madness and viscous venom; a molotov cocktail of frenetic energy, high-octane speed, vicious momentum, and burning ambition.

Their premiere effort for High Roller records, aptly called “Firestorm” due out in a month truly lives up to its namesake. Even though the exceptional new IRON SAVIOR album has faster amber, ample songs, including one called “Firestorm”, these Växjö's vigilant souls forsake the Teutonic terror for a more Northern hell-fueled aspiration and motor grinding inspiration.

With the opening title track, clearly the “Neon Nights” notes are heir-apparent, but then as the album begins to spin in your head, instantly, you get a sense that these natural Swedish born thrillers aim to keep it closer to the heart of their heritage, hard, heavy, and honest. “Hellbound” is a tad bit toned down, and less ignited, but only to prepare you for the blistering “Don't Shoot (Let 'Em Burn)” for which they made a ingenuous video, replete and riddled with all things Metal.

As I previously mentioned, Oskar's cadence characteristics are very similar to the mercurial vocalist Jonny Aune from TWISTED TOWER DIRE. Many of the tracks are mid-paced but in the old Swedish Metal style. “Close My Eyes” has attentive lyrics, but not enough passion to persuade. “Molotov Cocktail” is a bit more fomented and agitated, with wistful imagination. The mystical “Master Of Pain” trudges along with a ruse of consternation, betwixt contentious haunts which bewitch.  This slower more plodding scheme is a solid reworking of the 2013 Demo track. I still have yet to have heard “Fading To Black”. Overall, the two selections from the single still remain the two-stand-out tracks; perhaps because they are the ones with which I am most familiar.

If you appreciate the chastised youth approach of today who incessantly strive to bring back the glorious vinyl frontier of the '80s championed by such vibrant acts as ARMOR or RANGER from Finland, BLADE KILLER, MIDNGHT HELLION, VOLTURE, SPELLCASTER, from America, etc. then I say, “1,2,3…Semper paratus!” For the metal coup de main and sonic firestorm ambuscade is upon us, under cover of night.

1. Firestorm
2. Ambush
3. Hellbound
4. Don't Shoot (Let 'Em Burn)
5. Close My Eyes
6. Molotov Cocktail
7. Heading East
8. Master Of Pain
9. Natural Born Killers

Oskar Jacobsson – Vocals
Adam Hagelin– Guitars
Olof Engkvist - Guitars
Ludwig Sjöholm – Bass
Linus Fritzson – Drums

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