NATIONAL NAPALM SYNDICATE — Time Is the Fire (review)

NATIONAL NAPALM SYNDICATE — Time Is the Fire album cover Album · 2018 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Time Is the Fire" is the fourth full-length studio album by Finnish thrash/heavy metal act National Napalm Syndicate. The album was released through Iron Shield Records in May 2018. It´s the successor to "Devolution of Species" from April 2009. After 9 years one was beginning to wonder if National Napalm Syndicate had been put to rest again after their 2002 comeback and the release of the two comeback albums "Resurrection of the Wicked" (from 2006) and "Devolution of Species" (2009). The band did however put out the "Lex Talionis" EP in 2014, so they haven´t been completely inactive in the period between "Devolution of Species" and "Time Is the Fire".

Stylistically "Time Is the Fire" is slightly different from "Devolution of Species". It´s generally faster-paced and there´s also a more aggressive edge to the music, although I´d still characterize the music as relatively melodic inclined thrash metal with heavy metal leanings. The increase of aggression and punch suits National Napalm Syndicate well. The last couple of studio albums were almost too polished and melodic (although they are both quality releases) and you didn´t often hear the band´s thrash metal roots, but that´s not an issue on "Time Is the Fire", where National Napalm Syndicate have re-introduced a more thrash metal oriented sound (and even a few moments which make me think I´m listening to a melodic death metal release). It´s not as abrasive and primitive as their 1980s output as they´ve thankfully learned a few tricks along the way, and "Time Is the Fire" benefits greatly from those experiences.

So, the songwriting is definitely one of the great assets of "Time Is the Fire" and the same can be said about the musicianship which is on a high level on all posts. National Napalm Syndicate are an incredibly well playing unit and Järvenpää delivers a raw and convincing performance (he also sings clean melodic vocals here and there and pulls that off with ease too). The lyrics are predominantly in English but the band have opted to include a few Finnish lyric songs too, and it sounds pretty great. "Time Is the Fire" features a powerful, sharp, and detailed sound production, which means it´s a high quality release in all departments. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.
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