There’s not a band alive that isn’t familiar with trials and tribulations, after all, it’s both critical and crucial to a bands development. The Dallas/Greenville based metal act Light the Fire is certainly no exception to that. In fact, their sophomore record, a self-titled EP, was forged out of such circumstances. In late 2012 the band traveled to Massachusetts to record at Zing Studios, all under the guidance of producer Eric Arena, recording three songs that would be the basis of their second EP. Then, at the start of 2013, the band found themselves having to fill the suddenly vacated vocalist position, a change that ultimately meant the vocals for the songs they had laid down would have to be re-recorded. In the end, that worked out for the best, though, allowing them time to write a few more tracks to add to the EP, with the end result being an extremely well-crafted album. “All Or Nothing” is the first offering on Light the Fire’s latest effort and it’s guaranteed to suck you in, making sure you stick around for the duration of this 22-minute long experience. It boasts an insanely tight, dominating and complimentary rhythm section, courtesy of Blake Hein and Andrew Penland, the drummer and bassist, respectively. Those two instruments shine especially bright on this track, though they are of course balanced out by the stellar riffs and solo from lead guitarist Ryan Dickinson. The whole chorus, “I get the feeling that you don’t feel anything. Every day is a brand new struggle for me. Right now it’s all or nothing…”, has a catchy quality to it, even inspiring, and taking that last sentence out of context, it also seems to paint an accurate statement of where the band is at right now. After all, this record could well be the make it or break it point for the group, so in a way, it kind of is “all or nothing”. The five-piece outfit shows off their true metal chops on the next song, “Stick To Your Guns”, with Jeff Gunter screaming out the verses, his distinctive tone that is audible when he sings translating over, ensuring that regardless of what he’s doing, be it singing or screaming, you won’t get him mixed up with any other vocalist. Lyrically, it’s another poignant song, essentially about following your dreams, whatever they may be. “Believe in what you find inside yourself. We’re shooting for the stars and nothing less…” sings Jeff, a line that will no doubt connect with many listeners, while simultaneously again being reflective of these musicians and the journey they’ve all taken on their musical careers. There’s also a killer instrumental breakdown, albeit a short one, that begins around the halfway point of the song, giving everyone, including rhythm guitarist Felix Lopez, their own little moment. The full-blown metal sound only accelerates with the next track, “Forever Grateful”, and the band reaches a new height with it. It’s arguably the heaviest thing Light the Fire has ever written, and it’s also an instant classic of theirs. Jeffs’ stentorian screaming is much more aggressive, even course in relation to the previous track, which is a large part of what makes the song so irresistible. Even more impressive, though, is his ability to change his tone at the drop of a hat, switching to his singing voice for the chorus, “…I hear your voice and I crumble to pieces. I fall into you…” That’s another thing about this heavy hitter, it’s a love song, and a rather moving one at that, showing that not all emotional songs need to be in a ballad form, or even slow for that matter. The raw intensity is offset with some occasional and subtle elements, though, including a serene sounding bridge. “Reflection” is another more impassioned song, and the closest thing to a lull you’ll find on this record. It ebbs and flows very well, the guitars, bass and drums letting up on the verses to ensure the depth of the lyrics are properly conveyed, allowing it to make a real impact on the listener. That’s not to undercut the music, though, either, and when things take off, it can hold its own against the songs pretty well, making “Reflection” a true gem. “The Masquerade”, which is the final original song on the EP, gets off to a roaring start with some fast paced instrumentalization that will no doubt have you banging your head about. It’s another powerhouse track, again showcasing a dazzling guitar solo and some strong bass lines, with their even being a short bass solo after the first chorus but before the second verse. I smell another fan favorite with this song, and for their original material, it’s a great way to conclude things, though Light the Fire does have one last song in store for everybody. Now, for those familiar with the outfit, you know the band likes to have as much fun as possible (while still maintaining the professional showmanship a band needs), and the final song on this EP shows off that side. The band pays homage to the classic hard rock/metal band The Scorpions by doing a rendition of “No One Like You”. They leave their mark on the over thirty year old song, putting more of a current metal spin on parts of it, complete with searing screams. They aren’t simply covering the song; they are owning it, making it entirely their own, which results in a delightful end to things. Before I’ve said that what sets the greatest bands apart from the good (and even great for that matter) is when a group can show growth, pushing themselves to another level. That’s a quality that abounds on “Light the Fire”. At a pivotal point in their career (i.e. the member changes and such), they were forced to come together and strengthen their bonds more than most bands, and that solidified camaraderie is evident merely in listening to this album. On that note, so too is the blood, sweat and tears they no doubt poured into this. All the hard work they put into making this latest album comes through on every single note and every last word, and will make an impact on you. I don’t mean this as a slight against their debut “Note to Self”, but these guys have truly outdone themselves with this self-titled album. Going back to band’s growth, this record is superior in every way. The songs are even deeper in terms of lyrics, and I guarantee everyone will form a connection to at least one of the tracks, while musically it sounds more mature and defined, like they’ve truly come into their own, while still retaining the elements that made their first EP so great. In a just world, “Light the Fire” will be a key stepping stone in getting the band onto the national stage, but even if that doesn’t work out, I see this becoming one of the best, most solid releases from a North Texas based band, leaving its mark for years to come. (Side note: For those who might be saying, “I don’t like metal, so I probably wouldn’t like Light the Fire.”, let me just say, generally, I don’t like metal, either. It’s just a genre that is heavier than what I prefer, and yes, LTF is a heavy band. They are also one of the only exceptions of metal bands I not only like, but love. So, regardless of musical preferences, just give ‘em a listen.) -Jordan Buford, www.themusicenthusiast.com