The Holy Fire: In the Name of the World

The thumping opener “Raised on Planes” prepares the way for the coming of a great six-track mini album. You hold on to you seat for a white-knuckle ride of turbulence with pop sensibilities and one eye on the stadium prize. The five tracks that follow don’t quite live up to this promise. With the exception of “We’re Not Here to Learn”, what follows is an exploration of the territory first explored and colonized by the Manic Street Preachers. The aforementioned tune is classic Boy-period U2, who at that time were young upstarts with pop sensibilities and one eye on the stadium prize. Overall, a pretty good effort that opens really well and ends with a song that spits fire and venom from the speakers. “Hate Your Smile” does leave you wanting more, simply because of the sonic guitar riff and bile-filled chorus. Keep an eye on these guys; a full-length album may be in the cards, and if they graft more of their own sound onto these beginnings, it’ll be a stormer.