By definition, the word firebrand is a “burning implement of creation or destruction. A visionary individual who incites others to action, one who deliberately foments radical change.” In comes in the form of the five members of Firebrands, hailing from three separate corners of the globe. From Singapore there is eXe Ghost, and doctormix from Russia is Roman, and Jachin is from the U.S.

Together, they create music that combines heavy rock, metal, and funk of the late 80’s, early 90’s. You can hear their influences, ranging from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine, including System Of A Down.

Doctormix explains, “Creating music with this band is a continual inspiration and exploration of music for myself. The fulcrum of the power is where the giant groove of the rhythm section meets the infinite playing field of electronic sounds Roman and I create. And eXe is the sparkplug, right in that fulcrum, setting it all on fire.”

Think of a big mushroom cloud after a nuclear bomb goes off. With the explosion, first there is this intense blinding light, which shatters everything. Then a pulse of energy that blows it all away. Hence, the album title, “First The Flash Then The Pulse”. In the bands own words, “It is, in a sense what we built our album to feel like. It’s about a flash of revelation, of sudden clarity of vision, followed by the deep resounding pulse of the human heart and the feeling of being alive like never before.”

Lyrically, that may be the case, however, musically; they failed to blow me away. Don’t get me wrong, the album rocks! It just didn’t hit me like an explosion. They used just the right amount of “scratching” and sound effects. I wasn’t turned off by them trying to sound like early Kid Rock or Limp Biscuit. eXe actually sings, instead of just speaking the lyrics, which is always a plus for me!

“The scarecrow in Scarecrow and The Fire refers to false authority that prevents us from getting what is rightfully ours. We don’t want to burn anyone; we just want people to be able to see that they have the power to seize their own freedom.” Ghost