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"Death Might Be Late review - MusikReview.de"

Bei SUDDENFLAMES handelt es sich um ein Quintett aus Quebec, das seit sieben Jahren existiert und mit "Death Might Be Late" ihr erstes Album in Eigenregie herausgebracht hat. Das datiert zwar schon auf 2009, aber um guten Power Metal vorzustellen, kann es ja nie zu spät sein - erst recht nicht, wenn er so abwechslungsreich und trotz fehlender Labelunterstützung so professionell ausgefallen ist, wie auf "Death Might Be Late".

Der Opener dieser Eigenproduktion (echte CD, keine CD-R) führt namentlich aber erst mal auf die falsche Fährte, denn in "Son Of Doom" geht es ganz schön rasant und stellenweise im vertrackten Rhythmus zur Sache. Der Song hat also rein gar nichts mit Doom Metal zu tun, dafür zeigt er gleich die tragenden Elemente von SUDDENFLAMES auf. Das sind die sehr präsenten beiden Gitarren, die sich filigran, zwischenzeitlich fast neoklassisch und in Flitzefinger-Marnier in den Vordergrund spielen, das treibende Drumming bis hin zum Doublespeed ("Nativitas In Tenebris") und letztendlich der melodisch-hohe Gesang, der es stellenweise auch mal in höchsten Höhen schrill werden lässt. Frontmann und Hauptsongwriter Jean-Robert Letarte wird zwar bei der Eröffnungsnummer, wie auch zum Ende vom darauffolgenden "Bewitched Boat" auch mal kurz durch einen, durch den textlichen Inhalt bedingten, grantigen Widersacher unterbrochen, behält aber insgesamt klar die Oberhand und ist prägend für die Musik der Band.

Deren deutliche Wurzeln im nordamerikanischen Power Metal und eine musikalische Verwandtschaft zu Bands wie VICIOUS RUMORS überraschen nicht, aber ergänzend dazu sind auch die europäischen Einflüsse des Fünfers nicht zu verachten. Speziell Songs wie "Wonderland No More" oder "'Till The End" gemahnen sowohl zu HELLOWEEN, als mehr noch zu GAMMA RAY, während das epische "The Piper (Hymn Of Sorrow)" mit durch das Keyboard nachempfundenen Dudelsack/Pfeifer, das zudem a capella beginnt und in dem eine singende Elfe für eine Strophe zum einmaligen Einsatz kommt, hingegen nicht nur vom Titel her mehr auf den Spuren von BLIND GUARDIAN unterwegs ist. Und das dezent mit Keyboards unterlegte, wieder ziemlich schnelle "SuddenFlames" klingt in etwa wie eine erdige und härtere Ausgabe von STRATOVARIUS. Unter den Songs, die durch diverse instrumentale Kabinettstückchen nie einsilbig ausfallen, findet sich außerdem noch das äußerst gelungene Judas-Priest-Cover "Hell Patrol", durch das spätestens klar werden dürfte, dass der Sänger einiges auf dem Kasten hat.

Bei der Abschluss-Trilogie kommt die zuvor schon latent vorhandene theatralische Ader von SUDDENFLAMES dann vollends zur Entfaltung. Dramatisch eingerahmt von In- und Outro, verarbeitet der Höhepunkt des Albums die Sleepy-Hollow-Story, in der "The Headless Horseman" durch die singenden Doppelgitarren angetrieben durch die Nacht prescht, auf der Suche nach dem nächsten Opfer. Ein toller Longtrack mit Maiden-Anstrich als perfekter Schlusspunkt.

FAZIT: Das eigenproduzierte Debüt der Kanadier strahlt Atmosphäre aus und ist sehr vielseitig ausgefallen, so dass Fans von US-Power-Metal mit "Death Might Be Late" gleichermaßen gut bedient werden, wie Anhänger europäischen Melodic Metals oder gar (aber in Maßen) Shredder-Freaks. Ausreichend Gründe also für eine mehrheitsfähige Betrachtung dieser Band, die derzeit schon am Nachfolger arbeitet.
- Musik Reviews


"Death Might Be Late Review - Underground Power"

SUDDEN FLAMES - Death might be Late (CAN POWER METAL)

CAN Private Press 2010 - another great new Power Metal Band from Canada in the vein of Hanker, Cage, Savage Blade, Metalian, Jag Panzer, V. Rumors ! Incl. a Cover of Priests "Hell Patrol", clear and high pitched vocals like Harry "The Tyrant", fantastic riffs and melodic double twins - a real must have !
- Underground Power


"Death Might Be Late review - Obliveon"

(Translated from German)
What would be Metal without Canadian scene? Five musicians around exception singer Jean-Robert Letarte have recorded with "Death Might Be Late" a real great moment of the Power Metal which also helps itself with the US Metal, to the Thrash as well as the rather European stamped Speed Metal. "Son Of Doom", the brilliant opener, serves in the possibly clientele of Iced Earth, "Wonderland No More" with its Helloween touch would fit in the Keepers era albums, the dramatic "The Piper (Hymn Of Sorrow)" is pepped up with additional female vocals and the album ends with "The Headless Horseman" an epic a la Blind Guardian that blows us away. Also the Judas Priest cover "Hell Patrol" knows how to convince completely and does not need to hide behind the original. Moreover, there is on "Death Might Be Late" every amount of razor-sharp riffs, mad melodic leads in the double execution of Eric Vaillancourt and Sebastien Latulippe and strong melodies. In addition, with said Jean Robert, a man with the very expressive and strong voice who serves the references to Iced Earth.
Order this quality album. Who recollections of Iced Earth, Vicious Rumors and Jag Panzer, nevertheless, cannot be bad, no?
9,5/10
- Obliveon


"Death Might Be Late review - Metal To Infinity"

Sudden Flames is a band I discovered thanks to this release and I’m glad I could purchase this one although I’m interested hearing their debut as well. This CD looks professional and attractive, the kind you should take in your hands at any Metal shop if it was available but to be honest there's a little chance to find it in Europe. This is another release without a label and once more we can only question how the hell this is possible... I will never learn to live with it but it makes me stronger supporting this kind of bands.
Let’s talk about the music! Sudden Flames is a typical US / Canadian band! I say both countries in the same sentence because there really is no discussion that, musical wise, both countries always offered the similar kind of Metal. Fans of Jag Panzer, Hanker and plenty of other bands that are influenced by Eighties Metal will be pleased by Sudden Flames. Here and there Sudden Flames adds a slice of an European sound into their songs, which makes them more accessible for a bigger crowd. A bit of an Epic touch in vein of Manowar and additionally high screams, sharp riffs, screaming leads are enough available; get the picture?
Sudden Flames contains five great musicians and their guitarists are worth checking them out. The strength of this 2009 release is without any doubts singer Jean-Robert Letarte. You don’t hear me say he owns the most exclusive vocal sound but he contains strong lungs and is the perfect front man for this kind of music. The way the “Death” backing vocals supports his voice in several refrains and choruses are just awesome.The arrangements are well written but not at all exclusive and original. The strong production claims the fact Sudden Flames wants to be a True Power Metal and they easily succeed in that goal. The way some samples are weaved into the songs makes them sound darker. “The legend of the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow”, some kind of trilogy, even reminds me to the best Horror stories of King Diamond although musical wise there are no points of similarity. Anyway I’d like to hear more from this band in this specific atmosphere because it fits them very well!
Best songs to me were without any doubts the previous mentioned trilogy and furthermore “The Piper (Hymn of sorrow)” which contains great female vocals in a duet, the irresistible “Nativitas In Tenebris” and “Wonderland No More”. There’s a lot to discover on this silver disc and the more I’ve listened to it, the more I’ve really enjoyed it.
My Points: 86 / 100
- Metal To Infinity


Discography

UNDER THE SIGN OF THE ALLIANCE (spring 2013)
Recorded at SuddenFlames Studios 2012
Produced by: Patrice Dalpé, Jean-Robert Letarte and Nicolas Blanchet
Coming Spring 2013

GABRIEL'S QUEST (Single - 2012)
Recorded at SuddenFlames Studios 2011
Produced by: Patrice Dalpé and Jean-Robert Letarte
Distributed by: SF Productions
Available on iTunes

DEATH MIGHT BE LATE (2009 / Remastered edition 2012)
Recorded at SuddenFlames Studios 2009
Produced by: Patrice Dalpé and Jean-Robert Letarte
Distributed by: Unicorn Digital VSR

01-Son Of Doom
02-Bewitched Boat
03-The Piper (Hymn Of Sorrow)
04-Nativitas In Tenebris
05-Wonderland No More
06-Hell Patrol (**CD Bonus**)
07-SuddenFlames
08-'Till The End
The Legend of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow
09-A Curse in a Town
10-The Headless Horseman
11-Van Garret's Requiem

BEWITCHED BOAT (Demo 2005)
Recorded at SuddenFlames Studios 2004
Produced by: Patrice Dalpé and Jean-Robert Letarte
Distributed by: SF Productions
SOLD OUT

01 -Bewitched Boat (Demo Version)
02 -'Till The End (Demo Version)
03 -SuddenFlames (Demo Version)

Photos

Bio

SuddenFlames takes form in 2000 around Jean-Robert Letarte. The song The Headless Horseman was written when he was only 15 years old. A three song demo is released in 2004: Bewitched Boat. The band is then Jean-Robert Letarte on vocals, Sébastien Latulippe and Éric Vaillancourt on guitars, Pascal Lacombe on bass and Éric Morissette on drums. The following years saw SuddenFlames opening for bands like Dragonforce, Stratovarius, Kamelot, Paul Di'Anno (ex-Iron Maiden). A canadian tour followed in 2007 with Paul Di'Anno et Dream Quest.

In 2008, Pascal Lacombe leaves the band and the city. Pascal Landry will take the spot on bass. In 2009, SuddenFlames finally presents their first album in front of a packed audience: Death Might Be Late. SuddenFlames maturity is recognized and hails come from around the world: well written songs, sharp riffs and astonishing solos. The band is often compared to Hammerfall, Gamma Ray, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.

The band continues to make its mark with other bands like Hammerfall and Forgotten Tales. SuddenFlames also fronted as headlines, showing what true metalheads entertainers they are. Changes occured in 2010 and 2011. First, in 2010, Pascal Lacombe returned on the bass. In 2011 Éric Vaillancourt and Éric Morissette announces their departure of the band. This will put on hold the project of a quick follow-up for Death Might Be Late.

May 2011, a news on the band's web site presents Daves Couture as the new guitar player. The five-piece will be complete again a couple of months later with the arrival of Nicolas Blanchet, a highly skilled drummer. A lot of jams and a couple of shows later, SuddenFlames announces the release of the long awaited Under The Sign Of The Alliance for 2013 as well as a remastered version of Death Might Be Late for the end of 2012.

SuddenFlames is sure to please fans of classic metal acts like Judas Priest, Helloween and Iron Maiden.