Burning Point are a Finnish band that formed in the autumn of 1999.  Things seemed to be going great guns for them when, after recording a promotional CD, they managed to get a record deal with a well known German based metal label.  2 albums later, “Salvation by Fire” and “Feeding the Flames”, and things started going ever so slightly tits up (can I say “tits” on here Mr Editor Sir?).  They had some huge legal problems which culminated in fighting with lawyers and in the end losing their record deal.  Some might say that is was not really a good day at the office that day. 

However, as the great philosopher Homer Simpson once said “You Can Never Keep A Good Fin Down”.  Consequently, after 2 years of legal hassle and a year of writing, Burning Point have finally been able to get their 3^rd album ready for release.  It does seem that the frustrations and anger over the legal stuff has surfaced within the lyrics of their latest release “Burned Down The Enemy”. 

Burning Point have a style that is again a mix of genre’s, mainly influenced by Melodic and Power Metal, and the tracks on the album fit into the either/or category.  Melodic tracks like “Heart of Gold” and “From the Beginning of it All” stand alone, side my side with pure power tracks like “Parasite” and “Hell Awaits”.  I can’t honestly put my hand on my heart and say that there are any tracks that encompass both styles simultaneously, but in hindsight I don’t feel that this is to their disadvantage.  From the opening bars of “Parasite” with its shredding guitars and awesome double drumming I was enjoying this release, but immediately started to draw together a list of competitors within this genre, having the strange feeling of Déjà vu once again, but the second track “Heart of Gold” slows it right down and brings out the more melodic side of their playing.  They seem to follow this formula throughout the album – hitting you hard with vivid pomposity one minute then stroking the sweat from your brow with fine melodies the next. 

This is a release which uses twin attack guitars to throw out catchy hooks and breaks left right and centre, pumping bass and drums which pummels your brain into submission and could be used as a good cure for blocked sinuses left behind after the heavy winter head colds we Brits tend to suffer from (I am living proof that it works – you should see the state of my keyboard!), and vocals from Pete Ahonen that blend in perfectly with the music, never becoming overpowering, and are just right for their style of playing. 

Their press release states that this is the “most heaviest and aggressive album in the bands history”, well I think they have found the right balance and the perfect niche for their style.  I know that there is a lot of competition out their within this style of music, but as with all genre’s there are the winners, the nearly ran’s and those that have been left at the starting gate – well I may stick my head out a little here and state that I think that Burning Point are creeping up on the outside rail and could quite easily catch up to the leading group.   

If they keep up this level of release they could be a force to be reckoned with and are most certainly worthy of your hard earned money when “Burned Down the Enemy” is released on 19^th January 2007. 

A very good release from a very good group, well worth my first 9/10 for the New Year.

Let us know your views on 'Burned Down The Enemy'

Track List

Parasite
Heart of gold
Dawn of the ancient war
Hell awaits
From the beginning of it all
Icebound
Deceiver
Eye for an eye
To hell and back
Against the madness of time
Burned down the enemy

Line UP

Pete Ahonen - vocal/guitar
Pekka Kolivuori - guitar
Jari Kaiponen - drums
Jussi Ontero - keyboards
Jukka Jokikokko - bass