The USA Metal band has a different insight from European schools. Once more: the North American bands prefer a melodic and technical orientation, different from the more aggressive sound we hear on bands from Europe. Maybe it's an inheritance from names as BLUE OYSTER CULT and THE RODS. In the musical work from the trio VOLCANA we can hear it clearly. Just take a listen to "Goddess of Flame". They mix the influences from USA Metal with Doom Metal (we can hear some bits of THE OBSESSED, PENTAGRAM and TROUBLE on their work), but with the well-defined melodies from traditional Heavy Metal. It's nothing new at all, but it is really good, with personality and a very good and energetic form. I believe that is what we all look for on a Metal album, isn't it?

Tim Holsinger was the producer, sound engineer, and made the mix and the mastering of "Goddess of the Flame". Obviously, what we hear on the album it's not the best sound quality that they could have, but it's not so bad. Obviously the melodic side of their musical work is exposed, but we can see that there was a tentative to mix the rawness of Doom Metal earlier sound with defined instrumental tunes. The experience didn't reach its full potential, but it's not a total loss of time.

Musically, this trio shows a very good work on songs as "Scolopendra (Come Forward)" (with that abrasive sound of Doom Metal, but filled with fine melodies and very good guitars), the heavy and bitter grasp of the instrumental parts of "Drone", the catchy energy that flows from "Glory of Doom" and "Goddess of Flame" (the first with a more harsh sound and very good work from bass guitar and drums, and the second is a bit more melodic and introspective, with good vocals), the nasty and hooks and raw feeling that permeates "Smoke and Terrors", and on the aggressive touches presented on "Witch Blade".

Obviously, they have to evolve a little more, work better the vocals (they aren't as good as they could be), but for now, "Goddess of the Flame" is a good album.