fire! - The Hands

Very much a tight knit unit with three equal players, Fire! Has been likened to powerful guitar led trios such as Cream and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, but with Johan Berthling's heavy, doom-laden basslines being such a typical identifier, you can't help but think of Black Sabbath's debut album (1970) when it comes to hypnotic impact.

The Hands is the trio's sixth album and it once again displays a totally uncompromising and intriguing mix of (mostly) heavy, dark, and intensely burning music whether one decides to call it jazz or rock. The album closes on a quiet and reflective note with the appropriately titled "I Guard Her To Rest. Declaring Silence." And you might say it's easily their best so far.

Personnel: Mats Gustafsson - tenor, baritone and bass saxophones, live electronics; Johan Berthling - electric and double bass; Andreas Werliin - drums, percussion and feedback.