The Finnish Metal scene is one of the biggest and most successful ones, lots and lots of bands can be mentioned...one of them is BURNING POINT, a Power/Heavy act that strikes back with their 4th creation Empyre.
While their previous work Burned Down The Enemy wasn't something really special, this one shows the band at their best form so far. Their sound is definitely more American than European...actually reminds me a lot the 80's American Metal scene. Living with the record for a week I should say that it has the ability to grow within you. Very up-tempo and powerful, almost brings a smile to your face!
So here you can find Power/Speed Metal at Empyre or Face The Truth, staccato Heavy/Power at Manic Merry-Go-Round or Only The Wrong Will Survive but also more epic-approached tracks like Fool's Parade or Sacrifice. I even liked the St. Valentine's ballad Was It Me!
Also I have to mention the good work Pasi Hitula has done with the keyboards and Pete Ahonen with his vocals. The keys add a special background to their music and the vocals change successfully from track to track, being harsh but also melodic where this is needed. The great cover art is from the hands of Felipe Machado Franco, whose previous works includes artists such as ICED EARTH, Axell Rudi Pell and Blaze Bayley.
Search for the limited edition of Empyre as it includes cover versions of KIRKA (I'll Be Yours), THE RODS (Nuclear Skies), Q5 (Let Go) and RUNNING WILD (Gods Of Iron). All of the above with guest appearances by the original members of the bands! Give it a try!