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Blog Categories Review CATEGORY VI - Firecry - Reviewed By allaroundmetal!

CATEGORY VI - Firecry - Reviewed By allaroundmetal! Tuesday April 4 2023, 5:51 PM

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CATEGORY VI - Firecry - Reviewed By allaroundmetal ! Check it out here at this link: https://www.allaroundmetal.com/component/content/article/26-releases/10284-category-vi,-heavy-metal-e-tradizione

Category VI come from Canada and are part of that group of bands dedicated to what is called New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal, abbreviated NWOTHM; there are many in these years who go to fish out the old sounds of the 80s, bordering on Speed Metal, often also recording their records in a vintage way, which I find simply anachronistic in 2023. Fortunately, Category IV does not fall within among these groups who record often unlistenable albums; nevertheless, even for these Canadians the production could have been better, since the instruments are a bit too “compressed”, while the voice of the redheaded Amanda Jackman seems to come a bit too far away. Sure, her aggressive and almost always shouted style doesn't help, but surely it could have been done better, perhaps even having a larger economic budget. The album is titled "Firecry", like the excellent first of the nine tracks (total duration of just over 42 minutes), and has a discreet artwork created by the Serbian artist Ivan Radnic. The main instrument is Geoff Waye's guitar which offers solos and walls of riffs; the work of bassist Keith Jackman is good, while I would have expected more from the drums. The Category VI move in the wake of tradition, so if you are looking for originality and innovation, here you will not find even an ounce, because these Canadians play only and only the good old Heavy, regardless of fashions and the fact that many did it before them; they play the music they love and towards which they have an evident passion and for this reason alone they must be widely respected! If you then add that their music is also pleasant to listen to and has effective songwriting, then you will understand why the test has certainly passed and the sufficiency widely deserved. Category VI's "Firecry" won't go down in the history of the genre, but it can give you scarce 3/4 of an hour of well done Heavy Metal. allaroundmetal

Release Date: 24 March 2023

FFO: Solicitor, Smoulder, Tower

Location: Newfoundland, Canada

Bold and True Female Fronted Anthemic Canadian Power Metal / Classic 80’s Metal Combustion!!! The 1st embers sparked in the frosty Canadian Tundra of Newfoundland, Canada in 2011 when CATEGORY VI released their “Vinland” Demo. This swiftly ignited their path and their debut album “Fireborn” (2013) was unleashed in a blaze of burning Metal! Those coals were never quenched, and CATEGORY VI added fuel to the fire with their 2017 follow up Inferno “War Is Hell”.

CATEGORY VI Now returns in a full blazing firestorm with their 3rd album and most accomplished release to date “Firecry” From the initial flickering flame of “Firecry” To the final cinders of the absolutely combustible cover of HEARTS classic “Barracuda”, CATEGORY VI deliver True and classy 80’s Heavy Metal with utter perfection! “Firecry” boasts a crisp, clear and scorching modern production that does not distract from the bands True 80’s metal sound.

Lyrically crafted around themes of personal pride and triumph (Valkyrie, Heavy is the Crown), witchcraft persecution (Firecry), women’s strength (She Runs With Wolves) & their excellent live performances (Coven), these concepts are boldly and powerfully delivered by the soaring vocal excellence of Female lead singer Amanda Jackman. Bolstered and fueled by the powerful stainless steel riffs and catchy melodies of guitarist Geoff Waye, pounding anvil bass of Keith Jackman and thunderous steadfast drumming of Brian Downton, CATEGORY VI bring classy and classic 1980’s Power – Traditional Heavy Metal into the 21st century with blazing glory!

To close out one of the best Heavy Metal albums of the decade, CATEGORY VI delivers an immaculate True Metal, yet Radio friendly cover of the chart-toping Heart classic “Barracuda” With “Firecry” CATEGORY VI unleash a global scale climate changing Metal cyclone which just may melt the North American frozen tundra with their blazing Power Metal!

Check out this video!