So Gus G, the leather clad six string slinging Greek god, more recently known for the frantic finger work responsible for bringing Mr Osbourne's work back to life over the last couple of years, is back in the loving arms of his own creation, Firewind; who, it says in their bio, are a Greek heavy metal band. Well, you can say that again; Heavy? Check; Metal? Check. What these guys serve up is Olympic speed riffa-age built around a grandiose, almost orchestral arrangement of relentless and unmistakable heavy, heavy, heavy bloody metal.

Opener 'Wall Of Sound' is thumping, frantic, catchy and an early showcase for Mr G's incredible fretwork. 'Losing My Mind' lulls the listener into a false state of relaxation before building, tidal wave like, and washing away all in its path with a crushing riff and rousing vocal. One after another these huge Euro-metal anthems pin the listener down with all the subtlety and effectiveness of a nail gun to the nut sack, but only after being neatly and carefully built up to each of their cataclysmic, fist pumping crescendos.

To single out any track for its virtuoso soloing from Gus G is impossible, as time and again he shreds out frantic, ear splitting lick after finger splitting lick. It's not until 'Edge Of A Dream' does the band give real pause for breath; a beautiful collaboration with Finish cello rockers Apocalyptica, it's a song that provides proof of the diversity this band is obviously capable of.

Call it heavy metal, call it power metal, call it what you want because it doesn't care for, and doesn't need a title; it's heavy and it's powerful and it's good, and that's all you need to know. Greece may be weak on the economic front these days, but if Gus G could transfer the amount of notes he plays on this record into the Greek treasury then they'd be head banging all the way to the bank.

www.firewind.gr/