Healing of Harms

Fireflight | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 25, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Flicker Records
• ASIN: B000G7PO2Q
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,064 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

The Healing of Harms is one part testimony and one part inspiration to those who are alone. It also speaks to those facing insurmountable odds and needing answers after falling in harms way. It’s an album that exposes pride, gossip, guilt, and shame and then reciprocates by answering it with humility, love, forgiveness and hope. Birthed from the small music-starved town of Eustis, Florida, just outside Orlando, this debut record is the culmination of five years playing shows and waiting patiently for the right opportunity. But this project would not have been possible without the EP they released two years prior appropriately titled On The Subject of Moving Forward. That project is what led them to sign with Flicker Records (Pillar, Kids in the Way), who will release the band’s first national album. A mutual love for bands like The Juliana Theory, Zao, Def Leppard, and Skid Row was their initial point of connection musically, but the band’s members soon found that their similarities ended there. They each had a different idea about how the music should take shape. While most bands find musical compromise difficult, Firefight’s sound, as well as its resiliency, was established in democracy. The band has found that sharing ideas and control is its success secret. Lead vocalist Dawn Richardson explains, "It works best when you put the group goal above the individual. You can hear it in our music. We don’t sound like much else out there right now because we all come from different places, and our sound meets somewhere in the middle." The remainder of the band agrees, comprising Wendy Drennen (bass), Glenn Drennen (guitar), Justin Cox (guitar, background vocals) and Phee Shorb (drums). Hints of emo-core, modern rock, and progressive metal permeate the record and its style as defined by Fireflight. This is all wrapped in a package tied together with soaring vocals and memorable melodies. However, Fireflight wants its music and vision to be emphasized beyond themselves, doing so mainly through lyrics. Richardson’s lyrics are selfless and direct, a reflection of the band’s mission as a whole. On "Myself," she vocalizes the need for an individual to deny their own will, "You woke me up and made me learn to love more than myself / You took my hand before I knew there was more than myself." On "You Decide" she emphasizes that faith is not based on a relationship with others but with God; "Fiction and reality collide / Faceless and so busted up inside / You’ve been searching / You’ve been crying out / Will you be destroyed by all your doubt?" Having waited patiently since 1999, the band is now preparing to make a run at national recognition and a larger platform to share its message. Fireflight has already shared the stage with Skillet, Kutless, Emery, Anberlin, and Disciple to name a few. It recently wrapped a national tour with labelmate Kids in the Way and will make appearances at 12 major Christian music festivals this summer. And though its goals are large, the band is committed to remaining unified no matter what. The obstacles and many years invested have prepared Fireflight to keep its head grounded and to continue to make music that inspires, mends, and revitalizes. "Finally, the doors are opening," says Richardson. "It really feels like God has given us these opportunities so that we can help reach those who are wounded, those who need this music. Fireflight wants to write music that people can feel, make records that are universal enough to stand the test of time, and stay genuine and honest—or die trying."

Product Description

Dishonesty, lies and brokenness are demolished by truth, love and boldness in the debut release from Flicker’s female-fronted rock band Fireflight. With The Healing of Harms, a brash display of raw energy colliding with a beauty that heals, melodic vocals soar like a shining hope. Produced by the legendary Skidd Mills (Sister Hazel, Saliva, Skillet).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catchy, upbeat and relevant, September 29, 2006

By 

C.J. Darlington "Author of Thicker Than Blood... - See all my reviews

This review is from: Healing of Harms (Audio CD)

Fireflight's debut album was five years in the making--five years of playing shows and waiting patiently. The Healing of Harms marks the Orlando based band's first foray into the national music scene after independently releasing the EP On the Subject of Moving Forward (which caught the ear of Flicker Records, who eventually signed the band). Lead vocalist Dawn Richardson says, "Finally the doors are opening. It really feels like God has given us these opportunities so that we can help reach those who are wounded, those who need this music."

The Healing of Harms is a positive collection of edgy rock tunes. The opener "Serenity" starts things off fast and furious and moves listeners right into the crunching guitars of "Waiting". In fact, Fireflight's intensity doesn't let up through most of the album. "It's You" (co-written by the band and Ian Eskelin) is the closest thing to a ballad you'll find with its worshipful message, but it's a stretch to use the word "ballad" in the same sentence as "Fireflight". This becomes increasingly obvious when a song like "Liar" grinds from the speakers as probably the edgiest song on the album. Bold guitars kick things off, and David Paul Pelsue (of Kids in the Way) delivers a great performance singing, and screaming, along with Dawn. Lyrically, it speaks against those who try to sell the truth for their own gain: All that I see when you start to cry / is the rock on your finger and the gleam in your eye / your sad story is making me sick / So change the channel cause it's getting thick.

As the album progresses, the songs do start to sound slightly repetitive, but that's a positive for those who can't get enough of Fireflight's grunge flavored music. Stand-out track "You Decide" (featuring Josh Brown of Day of Fire) is the band's first single and video. With words that challenge listeners to make a decision based on seeking God Himself, it's set to become a rock hit. And that's one of the great things about Fireflight. Not only is their music head-banging-good rock `n roll, but they don't sacrifice edifying lyrics for authenticity. Covering topics like self-worth, respect, controlling anger, and loving people for who they are, The Healing of Harms is an album youth pastors can give kids without concern, but modern rock fans won't find themselves listening to a sermon disguised as a song, either. Says Dawn, "Fireflight wants to write music that people can feel, make records that are universal enough to stand the test of time, and stay genuine and honest--or die trying."

With a Flyleaf meets Inhabited sound, The Healing of Harms brings listeners right up to edge of hard-core modern rock without completely falling over it. Catchy, upbeat, and relevant, Fireflight takes off in The Healing of Harms.

--Reviewed by C.J. Darlington for TitleTrakk

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'WOW', December 14, 2006

By 

Marlon Hill (des moines, iowa USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Healing of Harms (Audio CD)

There's only one thing wrong with this cd, it's too short(around 36 minutes). Other than that it's awesome. These guys and gals rock! Very fresh and heavy beats, with great lyrics. One of the best new acts of the year without question.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Record!, August 2, 2006

By 

Stuart Craig "Stu" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Healing of Harms (Audio CD)

I'm an old head-banger, and not easily impressed my most of today's new music. This record rocks in any genre. It's heavy but hook-filled and uplifting. I'm having trouble keeping it out of my CD player...good stuff!