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By: Nathan Rodriguez
The Toronto quartet steps into the scene with their self-titled debut on a larger label, and while there are only six tracks on the disc, the band manages to enter some interesting territory.
"Bison Eyes" charges out of the gate, whipped into a frenzy by drummer Mike Maxymuik and Andrew Moszynski's sense of six-string urgency. Vocalist Chad Ross downshifts the tune with weary, distant pleading and pondering. "The Hawk that Hunts the Walking" echoes a slowed-down "No Quarter" and kicks up some dust along the way to a surging guitar solo in the final minute that nudges the almost nine-minute song from 'pretty good' to 'pretty damn good.' "I've Been Trying to Leave" and "You Are Always Loved" show the band inhabiting some MMJ territory, only instead opting to articulate some of the darker sonic corners of the landscape. "Next to the Fire" finishes the disc and finds the band living up to their name, igniting a few sparks that may be the start of something larger.
They have a sort of underdog appeal to them as a band that seems to care more about the music than creating product, more about a good show than a good hit. Quest for Fire may find themselves at an unexpected intersection between those two paths, and their self-titled debut is a promising first step in that direction.
JamBase | Aflame
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