SPITFIRE was the only Greek metal band which anno 1987, did achieve to sign a contract with EMI Records and to release the first diamond, First Attack. In a world of uncertainty is good to know that some things never change. It took them 22 years to release the second album and here they are. SPITFIRE, strike back with Die Fighting from Emotion Art Music. And yes, we are dealing with a great release. Anyhow, to release an album after all these years, means that you don't do it for the kicks, you do it because you have collected some interesting ideas and because you really feel you want to do it. I would like to mention that four tracks (Icarus, Everlasting Love, Underground, I'm Ready) were planned to be in a full length album that SPITFIRE would release in 1996, but it never saw the light of the day. Hence, it could be assumed that twenty two years since First Attack -is a long time- fortunately the debut album did cast a long shadow on the band. Die Fighting is a masterpiece.

90 minutes of metal in its purest sense. Where, N.W.O.B.H.M meets GARY MOORE, JUDAS PRIEST and some MICHAEL SCHENKER. In detail: Songs with nice hooks, inspired solos, dressed with incredible vocals are found here. The King Of The Mountain reflects a lot of GARY MOORE and IRON MAIDEN. Gates Of Fire has some doom elements as an intro, heavy riffs and epic lyrics while Underground awakens the JUDAS PRIEST spirit, with the razor sharp riffs and the Halford style vocals, in combination with more melodic traces. Icarus is a sweet ballad for the ones that tried to fly higher and lost their way. Taste The Fire despite the Dickinson style, will remind you a lot of SAXON and Macedonia apart from the epic surround brings a HELLOWEEN air. Fool Enough has a nice melody, moves to US metal and is probably one of the songs that will stuck in your mind. The last track is an acoustic medley from songs of the first album, plus the live album (1990), when the band performed live in Athens three years ago.

For this release it is difficult to try and analyze the tracks in depth. The production could afford some slight improvements but in general the arrangements made, do define the genre. Excellent musicianship is met, that makes sense, desires are nourished by delays, and this album includes nifty melodies that have the scent of the past, making you feel nostalgic sometimes. For the ones that have heard and liked the debut album First Attack this new piece of work surely won't let them down, it is the ideal continue for this band. The ones that will make their first contact with the band through this album will have the chance to get the most classic N.W.O.B.H.M and heavy (mostly European) aroma of the 80s in 2009.

SPITFIRE produces some exciting metal here and it is not hard to get that Die Fighting was created in full throttle. The mighty aircraft strikes back for a second attack and destroys all the doubts that may have arisen during these 22 years.