'New' band Firecracker with Tommy

[Kazar]

I saw this news on Melodicrock:

Escape Music are pleased to announce their next release, due out April 23 - Firecracker's debut album Born Of Fire.
The band Firecracker started some years ago and is the brainchild of Stefan Lindholm (Vindictiv). Before Vindictiv was formed Stefan contacted keyboard maestro Pontus Larsson and they started to work on some of the songs he had laid down. With bass player Fredrik Folkare (Unleached) and Hasse Worzel on drums the band took shape. Vocalist Tommy Karevik from "Seventh Wonder" took care of the vocal duties and the basis of Firecracker came to a reality.
Musically the band is everything you would expect and more from Sweden. For all of you out there that have heard and fallen in love with Vindictiv ("Vindictiv" ESM164 and "Ground Zero" ESM190) then this predecessor is essential listening. The guitar technique of Stefan Lindholm is as crisp and neat as ever, and he seems to effortlessly produce exciting riffs and melodies with nonchalance. His early years admiring and emulating the works of Malmsteen and Vai shine through but he does have a technique of his own that finds its way through. Keyboards play a vital role in the overall sound and there are plenty of these throughout, and when in harmony, form passages of pleasurable rock music. In addition to Pontus Larsson, keyboards are also supplied by classical player Henrik Mawe and his input of elongated keyboards makes this a stunning release and shows a difference to Vindictiv, a band who Stefan naturally progressed from Firecracker.
The CD "Born of Fire" is an exciting look back to the earlier days of Stefan's career, which is now developing into legendary status. It is a release that has an appealing raw edge to it, and it would have been a sin to pass by this fantastic recording. Firecracker is a great name for a band, certainly this one as they fit their moniker exactly.
Line-Up: Stefan Lindholm – Guitars, arrangements; Pontus Larsson – keyboards; Tommy Kerevik – Vocals; Hasse Wazzel - Drums; Fredrik Folkare - Bass.

Track List: 1-Blind Date 2- Second Self 3- Gamekeepers Song 4-Speed Devil 5-Back Broken 6-The Refrain 7-A Place Called Behind 8-Instru (metal).

You can download the song 'Blind date' as well.


It's always great to hear Tommy sing but this definitely doesn't sound like they re-recorded or re-mastered the Vidictiv-demosongs they recorded in the earlier days. 'Blind date' sounds exactly (i.e. a bit 'thin') like the demo they released 5/6 years ago right before Tommy joined SW. Also, the PR-talk in the 3rd paragraph is directly eh...borrowed from Vindictiv's release 'Ground Zero'.
I'm not quite sure what to think of this release, what are your thoughts on this one?

 

[fire_angel]

The production really does sound a bit flat. It's appropriate then that it is likely an old mix. Pretty average song. Tommy, like one would expect, saves the song from falling on deaf ears.

I'll happily give the whole cd a go though. I don't mind Vindictiv, and anything with SW members partaking in is worth the admission alone as far as i'm concerned. I just hope the other material is stronger than Blind Date.

 

[AndreasBlomqvist]

Please note:

This is a re-release of Stefan's earlier work and is not a new recording nor something the SW has engaged in any way in producing.

It is the first ever work Tommy did on "the rock scene" and was what made his ticket into SW, so note that this is old stuff and not something Tommy has been working on recently.

Also note, and I find this particulary disturbing, in the PR-talk above (written in mediocre English) they fail to highlight the one thing that actually makes this demo stand out; -Tommy. I will not go in to what I feel about the other instruments but it should be clear who the star is and to not mention it in the sales pitch is just painfully embarassing. Perhaps a little afraid that Tommy might steel the thunder..? Possibly...
Also know that when this demo was first released it was under the moniker Vindictiv and this Firecracker thing is new.

It is also conveniently left out that Tommy wrote and recorded every vocal melody and harmony on that release as well as the lyrics (although previously fully uncredited) and bereft of his royalty rights. I can only hope that has been remedied for this release -I know Tommy has demanded it.

Do not consider this a release in any way connected to what SW are doing these days, but view it as a set of really cool demo songs (with respect to the vocals) which really show the promise of Tommy and his incredible talent and ability, but do not expect something that Tommy has re-worked or re-written in recent years.

Thank you.

 

[Kazar]

Yes, this definitely smells like 'easy money making' to me. It's unbelievable to me that they are trying to sell this under u new band's name that brings out their debut album...
I can imagine Tommy is not too happy with this release. Like you said, Andreas, his voice is THE instrument that will stand out on this album/demo but it is very clear that (as a singer he) has grown so much since then. Sure, the Vindictiv-demos are part of his singing-history but this doesn't feel right at all.

 

[korruption]

I noticed this on NEH Records and almost shat myself with joy when I noticed him as the vocalist... even though it was spelled "Kerevik" but still. Thanks for letting us know the truth.

 

[AndreasBlomqvist]

I would just like to add that you should of course all feel free to buy the release if you want to. Some of the vocal stuff on it is amazing -I still remember realizing Tommy's potential through this and that we just had to get him.

If or when we learn about how the deal with the rights are progressing we'll let you know.
If, however, Tommy is in fact not receiving his share I will get back to you here and subtly urge y'all to download instead...

 

[fire_angel]

If Tommy is indeed owed musical royalties for lyrics and melodies, just reuse the lyrics and melodies and release it as a bonus cd titled 'Born of Fire'. The controversy alone would sell the albums

 

[AndreasBlomqvist]

Ha ha -Right on!
I'll give you a percentage for coming up with the idea...

 

[korruption]

I happily took the liberty to upload 'Blind Date' on Youtube, even quoting Andreas' commentary of the album, which I think is very important to know. Anyways, hope Tommy gets some money and more recognition from this album when it comes out.

 

[Xandra]

If or when we learn about how the deal with the rights are progressing we'll let you know.
If, however, Tommy is in fact not receiving his share I will get back to you here and subtly urge y'all to download instead...

*digging_out_old_topic*

Sadly there was never an answer to the question. So. Can I buy it, or...

 

[Schatz]

Yes, this definitely smells like 'easy money making' to me. It's unbelievable to me that they are trying to sell this under u new band's name that brings out their debut album...
I can imagine Tommy is not too happy with this release. Like you said, Andreas, his voice is THE instrument that will stand out on this album/demo but it is very clear that (as a singer he) has grown so much since then. Sure, the Vindictiv-demos are part of his singing-history but this doesn't feel right at all.

Totally agree with you