Customer Reviews

Prior To The Fire [Vinyl]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I like the idea of this CD more than I like the actual CD. I WANT it to be a kick-ass garage rock/metal hybrid. But in the end it just isn't. It feels like the pieces of a good record are there, but IMO the songs are lacking. I've listened to it all the way through a half dozen times and I barely remember a hook, riff or lyric. Heck, I'm listening to it as I type this and I barely remember the songs.

"Racoon Eyes" starts off catchy but doesn't really go anywhere. "Firebird" has some promising parts, but just kind of meanders until it's over. Nothing really grabbed me and said "you must listen to this over and over because it is awesome." Which is pretty much what I'm looking for in this genre. But hey, YMMV.

If you like this kind of stuff, you probably already own a bunch of stuff that sounds like this. So I'm not sure why you would need to buy this. And if you don't like this kind of stuff...well then I'm not sure why you would need to buy this.

I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could - there's nothing much awful with the CD, but there's not a lot great with it either. 3 stars because I wish Priestess the best, but really, save your money and just listen to "Hello Master" again.

While being slightly less riff-heavy, this followup to the excellent Hello Master still rocks hard. That's not to say that there aren't riffs, there are, they just don't seem to be the focus of the album. Instead they're woven throughout the songs themselves. The bands punk roots are also allowed to bleed through in a great many numbers, sounding vaguely Offspring-like occasionally. Another solid release from NYC's Tee Pee Records. Recommended!

Was at the launch of the much anticipated 2nd album of Montreal's premier Hard Rock band Priestess .

After the success of "Hello Master", expectations were high for the new offering "Prior To the Fire", which was produced by David Schiffman (Mars Volta, Nine Inch Nails).

The launch party started off with the band playing a DJ set with their favorite tunes. When they dropped the albums' lead off track "Trapped In Space and Time", you can tell straight off that they were back with a heavier more aggressive sound! Cool. Although their influences are noticeable (early Metallica, Early Sabbath, etc....), the band has continued in the evolution of what is becoming their own distinct sound.

Track 2, :Ladykiller", and you really want to crack this up and get the air drums going! It is in your face, aggressive, drums pounding. Yes! This album is filled with killer riffs, catchy melodies, and great drumming - especially nice rhythm on "It Baffles the Mind".

There are no weak trax on this album. 9/10.

Years go by and from time to time, certain albums come out that are just plain great. Prior to the Fire is one of these records. I never disliked this band but honestly didn't care after I heard their first LP. Ever since I bought the vinyl version (comes with a 7" with 2 of the best songs on the record, not found on the CD) I have been listening to this album constantly.

The recording is amazing. The musicianship is mind blowing. As someone who grew up in the 80s and 90s, this album has all the fixin's of a good gallop metal/thrash record. The lyrics are a bit hokey at times but it's all part of the overall product that makes this record rip.

During a time when ironic hipster metal is rife with ham-fisted attempts at sounding like Testament, Priestess swoops in from Canada to show most of us what's up.

I say bring it.

I am a fan. I bought both albums legally. I have gone to see them. I bought a t-shirt. Unfortunately in my mind their musical journey has been influenced by the heavier bands that they toured with. I truly liked Hello Master for what it was. a Hard Rock Album. Priestess has taken Prior to the Fire to another avenue. There seems less focus on making each song solid, and they have loosened up the songs to the point where it seems they are trying to make each song "Epic". I dunnno. I listened to the album quite a few times and it just doesn't have the magic Hello Master had. The guys in the band are great, and I kinda even hate saying anything negative, but this album was a dissapointment to me. I was truly hoping for more in the groove of Hello Master. I felt they had a nice signature sound and solid simple structure, but in Prior To The Fire it seemed to have lost that focus. I am going to still be looking forward to their next release. I will still go see them if they come to a venue near me. I just hope they don't punch me.

Montreal's Priestess kick the sh&t with this, their sophomore effort "Prior To The Fire". After exploring riff-drenched and hook heavy stylings that were reminiscent of CKY, Queens Of The Stoneage, Sabbath and Maiden, Priestess have pushed themselves to explore the potential of their format through off-time riffs, sonically challenging choruses, and blistering energy. This album is akin to driving a 1978 Camaro at warp ten down a desolate stretch of highway in the year 2020 with explosions, crashes, flips and gunfire going off simultaneously. This album may be challenging for casual listeners, but I highly recommend it!

Priestess are the best band out there right now - I'm serious! Nobody is even touching these guys as far as hard rock goes. With heavy organic riffs, with minimal effects processing, these guys pimp slap the listener into obedience. I'm converted. Download this album now. Pior to the fire takes off where Hello master left off. It's more progressive and prog but not brainy, just amazing.

Priestess is a good metal rock band, a cross between Iron Maiden and Rush...
this album has one killer track entitled appropriately " The Gem" and another nice
one
called "Firebird" i would of loved to see more better songs on this album but its worth
it even for those two songs...