They may call Seattle home, but don’t expect to find any rehashed Grunge on Girl On Fire’s ‘Revenge’ EP…this 5 song mini album is a scorcher from start to finish. A band since 2007, Girl On Fire has solidified it’s line up with the release of this EP, not to mention finding a sound based in pure hard rock and highlighting their gift for writing incredible melodies. While lead vocalist Austin Held’s voice bears a passing resemblance to Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington, the music surrounding his powerful pipes takes Girl On Fire to an entirely different level. A full album is sure to come in the near future, but what’s great about an EP filled with 5 rock solid tracks, is that it leaves you wanting more and ‘Revenge’ does just that. The introduction is a subdued one, as the gentle piano opening lead track ‘Revenge’ gives us little indication of what lies ahead…then the fury of what makes Girl On Fire tick unveils itself to the listener. Heavy guitars, commanding vocals and hooks so sharp, you’ll want to grab a Band-Aid. As second track ‘Tragic Ending’ rolls into it’s frantic riffing and confrontational lyric, the writing’s on the wall: Girl On Fire have “it”. In what is sure to be the EP’s most recognizable track, ‘Medicate’ is pure rock at it’s best…full of buzz saw guitars and room shaking beats, it’s 3 minutes of heavy melody that has “hit single” written all over it. By the time ‘Secret Lies’ hit’s your ears, carrying the same intensity and eagerness of the previous trio of tracks, you’ll realize there’s only one song left! Thankfully, final track ‘Close Your Eyes’ is absolutely the best of the bunch. It’s faster, heavier and goes for the throat in a fit of rage that sums up what Girl On Fire is trying to achieve with ‘Revenge’. The ‘Revenge’ EP is one of the best introductions I’ve heard in ages and to say it’s excellent just doesn’t seem to do it justice. Get it now! (appearing live with Burn Halo & Hell or Highwater at Vamp’d 1/14/12)
*for fans of: Dead By Sunrise, Taking Back Sunday, AFI
