Northern Flame
Northern Flame hails from Vaasa, Finland and was formed by Guitarist Niclas Buss & Bassist Emil Stenros in 2003. The band got their name from the idea that Jesus is North from us being in Heaven and He cleanses us with His Holy flame(Malachi 3:1-3). NF offers up some Heavy Power Metal on the Progressive side that is technical and seasoned with Neo-Classical flavorings. Other bands that come to mind while listening to this band are Lightmare, Golden Resurrection, Theocracy, Harmony, and Majestic Vanguard.
One of my reasons for making this site is to show all the people out there that think christian Metal "stinks," that they are Wrong!! Northern Flame is another great christian band helping to show that christian music can be just as good as secular music, if not better!
One of my reasons for making this site is to show all the people out there that think christian Metal "stinks," that they are Wrong!! Northern Flame is another great christian band helping to show that christian music can be just as good as secular music, if not better!
2014 'Glimpse of Hope' was released about 10 years after the bands first two demos and represents the two by taking their songs and reworking them to perfection. There were two songs that were on the original two demos that were left off the new 2014 album and they are "The Wanderer" & "Bloodstained." There is an additional new track called "Glimpse of Hope," on the 2014 record as well. The following artwork is of the two demo releases 2003 demo 'Demo,' and 2005 release 'White Winternight'
On their 2014 release 'Glimpse of Hope,' vocalist Simon Granlund does a great job hitting the soprano notes as well as hitting the mid-range notes. At times he comes across as having a bit of a Gothic style delivery and when you take into consideration the slight accent that he has, it's just the icing on the cake. One of the highlights on the album "Glimpse of Hope" is the way that Simon harmonizes and sings in unison with the backing vocalists, it's simply incredible! We should also note at this time that Simon Granlund did some backing vocals for Hilasterion's 2006 album "Taken from Darkness." A note to the band at Northern Flame-Guys, whatever you are paying Simon, you should double it! :)
2014 Glimpse of Hope
The guitars on the album are handled by Niclas Buss and Alexander Nybond with their smok'n fast guitar work. Also we find some sweet moments when the guys just want to Thrash a bit and that's alright by me not hurting my feelings at all. Then there are some moments where they trade in their electric guitars for acoustic ones and all I can say is wow!! in addition, these two are not scared to break out into a solo as the album is laced with them. You can tell that Niclas and Alexander have honed their skills over the past 10 years as it shows with a lot of variation and intensity.
The intensity of the double bass attacks by drummer Jari Ketola, help kick and propel the tunes forward and assists with keeping the album true to the Power Metal genre. I must add that the double bass also helps add to the uplifting sound that the Power Metal genre is noted for, and here it does the same for Northern Flame's 2014 release as well.
The production on the album sounds great and one thing I really appreciate is that the vocals are placed far enough out front that you can enjoy them.
Lyrics are very Christ centered as you can see in the following songs however before reading "At The Shores Of Pitkäjärvi" The following information will help you understand the song better: "In the Northlands your journey under the twilight begins at the shores of lake Pitkäjärvi where the gibbering stranger (a demonic host) offers you deception upon deception. In the woods, the voice of Jesus' great words of power, topple this so-called-friend urging you to heed His warning and come back again. Only then do you come to understand the depth of the battle for your soul. From there, your days will never be the same." This is a great tune reminding us that there are false prophets in the world trying to lead us astray and that there is only One who is the Way the Truth and the Life Jesus Christ! (John 14:6)
Pitkäjärvi is a province in Western Finland that includes a lake called Lake Pitkäjärvi.
The intensity of the double bass attacks by drummer Jari Ketola, help kick and propel the tunes forward and assists with keeping the album true to the Power Metal genre. I must add that the double bass also helps add to the uplifting sound that the Power Metal genre is noted for, and here it does the same for Northern Flame's 2014 release as well.
The production on the album sounds great and one thing I really appreciate is that the vocals are placed far enough out front that you can enjoy them.
Lyrics are very Christ centered as you can see in the following songs however before reading "At The Shores Of Pitkäjärvi" The following information will help you understand the song better: "In the Northlands your journey under the twilight begins at the shores of lake Pitkäjärvi where the gibbering stranger (a demonic host) offers you deception upon deception. In the woods, the voice of Jesus' great words of power, topple this so-called-friend urging you to heed His warning and come back again. Only then do you come to understand the depth of the battle for your soul. From there, your days will never be the same." This is a great tune reminding us that there are false prophets in the world trying to lead us astray and that there is only One who is the Way the Truth and the Life Jesus Christ! (John 14:6)
Pitkäjärvi is a province in Western Finland that includes a lake called Lake Pitkäjärvi.
"At The Shores Of Pitkäjärvi"
In this gloomy dark night, when death still reigns out here
Through this eerie forest, we travel to reach our goal.
Suddenly a voice calls out, from somewhere far beyond
A call from a stranger up ahead on the road.
Listen to me, he said, I can help you out of here
Follow me, he said, and I'll show you the "right" way
To the home of my master, where the forgotten secrets shall be revealed!
COME WITH ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
WHERE THE WATER HAS TURNED BLOODRED
COME WITH ME TO THE SEA OF THE DREAD
AT THE SHORES OF PIKÄJÄRVI HE HAS RISEN!
FOLLOW ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
AT THE SHORES OF PITKÄJÄRVI HE WILL APPEAR
As we followed the stranger, we heard a distant cry,
A voice from the heavens; the Lord Jesus Christ
His great words of power, toppled our "so-called-friend"
Urging us to heed His warning and come back again.
Don't listen to him, He said; 'cause all his words are lies!
Follow me instead and I'll lead you to eternal life
Still the gibbering stranger kept calling, on and on.....
COME WITH ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
WHERE THE RED BLOOD FLOWS AGAIN
COME WITH ME TO THE SEA OF THE DREAD
AT THE SHORES OF PITKÄJÄRVI HE HAS RISEN!
FOLLOW ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
AT THE SHORES OF PITKÄJÄRVI HE WILL REAPPEAR
Don't be afraid, he said; my master has long awaited you!
Follow me down the way, he whispered, and you'll all feel no pain
All your desires shall be pleased, forevermore!
COME WITH ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
WHERE THE WATER HAS TURNED BLOODRED
COME WITH ME TO THE SEA OF THE DREAD
AT THE SHORES OF PIKÄJÄRVI HE HAS RISEN!
COME WITH ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
WHERE THE RED BLOOD FLOWS AGAIN
FOLLOW ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
AT THE SHORES OF PITKÄJÄRVI HE WILL APPEAR>
In this gloomy dark night, when death still reigns out here
Through this eerie forest, we travel to reach our goal.
Suddenly a voice calls out, from somewhere far beyond
A call from a stranger up ahead on the road.
Listen to me, he said, I can help you out of here
Follow me, he said, and I'll show you the "right" way
To the home of my master, where the forgotten secrets shall be revealed!
COME WITH ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
WHERE THE WATER HAS TURNED BLOODRED
COME WITH ME TO THE SEA OF THE DREAD
AT THE SHORES OF PIKÄJÄRVI HE HAS RISEN!
FOLLOW ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
AT THE SHORES OF PITKÄJÄRVI HE WILL APPEAR
As we followed the stranger, we heard a distant cry,
A voice from the heavens; the Lord Jesus Christ
His great words of power, toppled our "so-called-friend"
Urging us to heed His warning and come back again.
Don't listen to him, He said; 'cause all his words are lies!
Follow me instead and I'll lead you to eternal life
Still the gibbering stranger kept calling, on and on.....
COME WITH ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
WHERE THE RED BLOOD FLOWS AGAIN
COME WITH ME TO THE SEA OF THE DREAD
AT THE SHORES OF PITKÄJÄRVI HE HAS RISEN!
FOLLOW ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
AT THE SHORES OF PITKÄJÄRVI HE WILL REAPPEAR
Don't be afraid, he said; my master has long awaited you!
Follow me down the way, he whispered, and you'll all feel no pain
All your desires shall be pleased, forevermore!
COME WITH ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
WHERE THE WATER HAS TURNED BLOODRED
COME WITH ME TO THE SEA OF THE DREAD
AT THE SHORES OF PIKÄJÄRVI HE HAS RISEN!
COME WITH ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
WHERE THE RED BLOOD FLOWS AGAIN
FOLLOW ME TO THE SHORES OF THE LAKE
AT THE SHORES OF PITKÄJÄRVI HE WILL APPEAR>
"Starlit Sky"
Soon the night, will fade away and perish into the unknown
And there will be no more doubt or fear!
Because the power of the One, of our only Saviour,
Will conquer all, because it is love!
Don't be afraid I'm guarding you,
Way up high in the sky.
KEEPER OF THE HOLY LIGHT, LIGHTS MY WAY
FOR I AM NOT AFRAID ANY MORE
AS I WALK THROUGH THE DARK, HE LIGHTS MY PATH
THE STARLIT SKY WILL GUIDE ME HOME
Don't be afraid I'm guarding you,
Way up high in the sky.
Soon the night, will fade away and perish into the unknown
And there will be no more doubt or fear!
Because the power of the One, of our only Saviour,
Will conquer all, because it is love!
Don't be afraid I'm guarding you,
Way up high in the sky.
KEEPER OF THE HOLY LIGHT, LIGHTS MY WAY
FOR I AM NOT AFRAID ANY MORE
AS I WALK THROUGH THE DARK, HE LIGHTS MY PATH
THE STARLIT SKY WILL GUIDE ME HOME
Don't be afraid I'm guarding you,
Way up high in the sky.
"Northern Flame"
I have tried to walk alone
Tried to make my own way
But lost in the darkness I go
My fallen nature is leading me astray
Oh Lord, will my soul
Ever do Your will?
God, help me through this mess
Holy spirit, my heart fill
Holy Fire, from heaven above
Holy Spirit, the ancient white dove
Out of the darkest hands of death
To the other side of our final breath
Free from filthyness, free from blame
Cleansed from impurity
Cleansed from the shame
We are purified
By the holy light
Of the Northern Flame
I have tried to walk alone
Tried to make my own way
But lost in the darkness I go
My fallen nature is leading me astray
Oh Lord, will my soul
Ever do Your will?
God, help me through this mess
Holy spirit, my heart fill
Holy Fire, from heaven above
Holy Spirit, the ancient white dove
Out of the darkest hands of death
To the other side of our final breath
Free from filthyness, free from blame
Cleansed from impurity
Cleansed from the shame
We are purified
By the holy light
Of the Northern Flame
(See Site Info for Sword Scale Meaning)
If I was only going to buy one album this year, then I would make Northern Flame's 'Glimpse of Hope' that album!
If you love Power Metal and instrumentals and you enjoy bands like Lightmare, Golden Resurrection, Theocracy, Harmony, and Majestic Vanguard then I'm sure you are going to like Northern Flame as well!
If you are looking to add some quality music to your collection then do yourself a favor and give Northern Flame a listen.
If you love Power Metal and instrumentals and you enjoy bands like Lightmare, Golden Resurrection, Theocracy, Harmony, and Majestic Vanguard then I'm sure you are going to like Northern Flame as well!
If you are looking to add some quality music to your collection then do yourself a favor and give Northern Flame a listen.
Musicians:
Simon Granlund-Vocals
Niclas Buss-Guitars
Alexander Nybond-Guitars
Emil Stenros-Bass, Keyboards
Trygve Strömvall-Keyboards
Jari Ketola-Drums
Simon Granlund-Vocals
Niclas Buss-Guitars
Alexander Nybond-Guitars
Emil Stenros-Bass, Keyboards
Trygve Strömvall-Keyboards
Jari Ketola-Drums
