CATEGORY VI – Firecry

If there was ever a question as to whether Traditional Heavy Metal was losing traction in the music world, Newfoundland, Canada’s Category VI has shown us that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Their newest release on Moribund Records titled Firecry has all of the blistering guitars and high powered screams one would expect from 80s metal giants like Judas Priest during their Painkiller era.

About the Album

Their 3rd, and most polished release, Firecry includes 8 original Traditional Heavy Metal tracks, and ends with a cover of Heart’s classic galloping masterpiece “Barracuda”. The album is lyrically crafted around themes of personal pride and triumph (“Valkyrie”, “Heavy is the Crown”), witchcraft persecution (“Firecry”), and women’s strength (“She Runs With Wolves”). Vocalist Amanda Marie Jackman tells us her inspiration for the song “Valkyrie”:

“This song is about sexism and misogyny and my own personal experiences with this. Being told to shut up my whole life backfired. LOL! It’s about sisterhood and banding together like a bunch of powerful Valkyries against the assholes in the world!”

Final Notes

Category VI – Firecry is a good Heavy Metal album. The guitars are punchy and in your face, the drums and bass are solid, and Amanda Marie Jackman has a strong Metal voice, though she does seem to be a bit monotone on some of the songs. The cover of Heart’s “Barracuda” doesn’t bring anything new to the table, and certainly can’t compete with the original, as Jackman just can’t hit all of the high notes that Anne Wilson could. When a band covers a classic, they really should bring something new to the song to make it their own. That said, the album is a fun listen, and the originals are the gems here, making it worth adding to your list of head banging bands to check out.

Lineup

Amanda Marie Jackman – vocals
Geoff Waye – guitar
Keith Jackman – bass
Brian Downton – drums

Firecry – Tracklist

1. Firecry
2. Valkyrie
3. The Vultures Never Came
4. She Runs With Wolves
5. Heavy is the Crown
6. Coven
7. The Cradle Will Fall
8. Burning Bridges
9. Barracuda (Heart)