RING OF FIRE – Gravity

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the return of Ring Of Fire, with their fifth studio album, Gravity. Founding member Mark Boals (vocals) and longtime member Vitalij Kuprij (keyboards) are joined by Aldo Lonobile (guitar), Stefano Scola (bass), and Alfonso Mocerino (drums). Gravity is the first studio album since 2014’s Battle of Leningrad.

Bio of Ring of Fire

Ring of Fire is an American neoclassical, Progressive/Power Metal band that was formed in California in 2000 by Mark Boals. The name of the band originated from Boal’s first solo album, Ring of Fire. Ring of Fire released three studio albums between 2001 and 2004, The Oracle, Dreamtower, and Lapse Of Reality. Boals, original guitarist Tony MacAlpine, and keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij returned in 2014 with their fourth studio album Battle of Leningrad. Mark Boals appeared in many bands including Savoy Brown, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force, Ted Nugent, and his solo recordings. Mark has also played bass in Dokken in 2014.

About Gravity

Gravity clocks in with a runtime of under 59 minutes and 10 songs. Gravity maintains Neoclassical Metal elements, yet leans toward more Hard Rock with interlacing keyboards, pianos, and heavy guitar riffs. “The Beginning” starts the album with an organ and vocal harmony transitioning to a piano crescendo leading to a mid-tempo Power Rock song. The transitions are similar in nature to Dream Theater and early Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force. Vitalij Kuprij delivers a very strong performance on “Storm of the Pawns”, “Another Night”, and “Storm of the Pawns”. The keyboards/piano is very prominent taking a major focus over the guitars but it works on Gravity. A guitar-oriented track, “Melanchonia” opens with a heavy guitar riff and is the most Metal oriented song on Gravity. “Sky Blue” and “Another Night” lean more toward power ballads that excel in the mix of pianos and keys with Boals’ delivering powerful vocals.

Lyrically the songs on Gravity take on the state of the world today focusing more on darker subjects. “The Beginning”, is about the current state of the world leading to the beginning of the end. “Melanchonia” can be interpreted as a person in a constant state of melancholy in a world of lies, and the politics of deceit. “Run for Your Life” is about people in your life that you have either neglected or mistreated have left leaving you in loneliness and despair. Mark Boals’s vocal performance is nearly flawless on Gravity with plenty of transitions and emotions to express the feel and mood of each song.

Final Thoughts on Gravity

Mark Boals and Ring of Fire’s Gravity is a well-rounded album with great sound, vocal performance, and a mix of Hard Rock and Power Metal. Gravity is an album that will grow on you the more you listen to it.

Tracklisting

1. The Beginning
2. Storm Of The Pawns
3. Melanchonia
4. Gravity
5. King Of Fools
6. Sky Blue
7. 21St Century Fate Unknown
8. Another Night
9. Run For Your Life
10. Sideways

Album Lineup

Mark Boals – Vocals
Vitalij Kuprij – Keyboards, Piano
Aldo Lonobile – Guitars
Stefano Scola – Bass
Alfonso Mocerino – Drums