Your heart is the key - A review of Seven Kingdoms' The Fire Is Mine

Seven Kingdoms is one of the better female-fronted power metal bands thanks to a powerful instrumental execution and a versatile lead singer who manages to sound enchanting without drifting off into pompous symphonic innuendo. On the other side, the band's songwriting is at times a little bit too predictable and tame to leave a deeper impression among the elevated number of similarly sounding bands.

The Fire Is Mine is probably the band's greatest accomplishment so far. Especially the record's middle section is quite strong. ''Symphony of Stars'' has speed, power and melody that keep the up-tempo track engaging from start to finish. 

Title track ''The Fire Is Mine'' is particularly dynamic with extended instrumental sections offering interesting shifts in atmosphere and pace. Aside numerous great guitar solos, the bass guitar is quite audible and dominant and even the drum play is versatile enough to leave a mark. One can hear that the band members enjoyed themselves while recording this song and quite appropriately chose this song to represent the record. 

''Kardia'' is probably my favourite song on this output. It's a ballad that starts with enchanting acoustic guitar sounds and soothing female lead vocals supported by passionate male backing vocals by Theocracy's Matt Smith. The song starts like a folk ballad before guitars, drums and bass guitar kick in efficiently for the final one minute and a half. This structure is quite simple but works very well because it's executed with true passion. It might remind of Evanescence's My Immortal at times but that certainly isn't a shame since it's a great song as well.

''Fragile Minds Collapse'' is probably the greatest song from an instrumental point of view. It incorporates a contemporary production with a few minimal sound effects into a classic heavy metal structure flirting with power metal tropes and even a few progressive metal hints. The track convinces not only with perfectly executed guitar solos but also a tight bass solo. The diversified and relentless drum play is the backbone of the song structure. Those who like their power metal a little bit more adventurous, creative and sophisticated will enjoy this song for sure.

If you like imaginative power metal with a charismatic female lead vocalist, you should give Seven Kingdom's The Fire Is Mine a chance. The record doesn't reinvent the genre but it performs with enough passion, diversity and atmosphere to be entertaining from start to finish. If you like bands in the key of Evanescence, Epica and Elis, you are going to enjoy this release.

Final rating: 80%