ADD LINK! Music for the Masses just released this 2-disc digipak “The Story Of Italian A.O.R. Band 1987-1994“, comprising all the recordings from Italian AOR / melodic rockers FIREHOUSE. Not to be confused with the famous American band of the same name, this Firehouse (from Milan) actually came first (formed 1985) and released two albums, with the self-titled debut coming out in 1987 and ‘Labyrinth’ in 1994 before they split.
Long time out of print both albums fetched exorbitant prices at auction sites, even the 1987 debut never was released on CD until now, completely remastered and out in a limited numbered edition.
Musically first album ‘Firehouse’ is very AOR driven in a style very close to EUROPE, still including hard rocking songs, while ‘Labyrinth’ has that early Nineties melodic hard rock feel with sharper guitar work. Both records are really rather good AOR / Melodic Rock with a great collection of hook laden songs and delivered in great style by a band that deserved better promotion & marketing.
Besides the EUROPE & Scandi influences this Italian FIREHOUSE really does sound so American (especially second album) with frontman Enzo Caruso being ‘very Eighties’ with accent free and perfectly delivered English vocals over, while Franco lays down an array of ever impressive solos and riffs.
For sure, there is a retro feel to the material but due to the fact that there are still so many melodic rock bands around means that the music has actually aged very well and sounds just as fresh and vibrant today as it would have when first released.
1987’s ‘Firehouse’ production has that typical reverb loads from the era and while little thin production this remaster takes the best of it, while 1994’s ‘Labyrinth’ is more robust and punchy.
Tracklist
Cd 1 - Firehouse (1987)
1 Overture 987
2 The Secret Of The Sky
3 Open Your Wall
4 Way Out For Freedom
5 Pray
6 Time To Fly
7 Dreaming Black
8 Break The Bonds
9 The Day Of Your Power
10 House Of The Fire
11 This Is My Life
Cd 2 - Labyrinth (1994)
1 I Need The Fire
2 Calling Your Name
3 In My Eyes
4 Striking
5 Running Into Danger
6 The Prince Of Darkness
7 Labyrinth
8 A Dream Again
9 Stonework
10 Fly By Night
11 The Color Of Your Kiss
Firehouse – The Story Of Italian A.O.R. Band 1987-1994- 2021, CD
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