Forming out of San Francisco, California, back in 2009, previously under the name Park Lane, Hard Rock’s Letters From The Fire has been a labor of love. All begun when their founding members, Guitarists Mike Keller and Grayson Hurd, began taking music seriously after drawing inspirations from various concerts they had attended to create their own original music. Initially working with Candiria’s Carley Coma, unfortunately with Coma being in New York and the band being on the West Coast, the partnership did not last. Unwilling to pack it in, a few years later, they recruited Elliot Weber as their new vocalist and continued to push forward with more touring, even earning a spot on 2015’s ShipRocked.
Unfortunately, the ship continued to rock for Letters From The Fire, and later, in 2015, co-founder Hurd bowed out with former Drummer Cameron Stucky returning to the fold, this time on guitar. Welcoming Stucky back following his attendance at Berklee College of Music, Letters From The Fire was once again looking for a new vocalist after things did not work out with Weber. Making a bold move, they completely changed the band’s direction and recruited their first ever female vocalist, Alexa Kabazie.
Now with Kabazie, Keller, Stucky, Bassist Clayton Wages, and Drummer Brian Sumwalt, Letters From The Fire are back with something to prove. Taking their time in crafting their new tunes, Letters From The Fire amply title their debut full-length album Worth the Pain. Set for release on September 9th via Sand Hill Records, the album is a symbol of the struggles the band has faced, but more than that, their battle cry insisting that they will not go down quietly.
Lifting it into high gear, a screeching sound effect and a fast guitar opens the album up with “Perfect Life.” From here, the pace quickens a little with the introduction of the other instruments and tornado sirens, lending the vibe of a Horror movie atmosphere. From there, “Mother Misery” comes in with acoustic guitars, hot electric guitar solos, and choir-like background vocals. Complemented by a dark ambient mix of effects, the element of falling apart and regaining strength through bitterness bleeds through the lyrics. Next comes the single “Give In To Me,” which shows off heaviness with gritty guitars and passionate vocals act as a tease to the listener. The high energy and sexual vocals combines with more strong guitar work to create a track that is easy to get lost in.
Changing up the pace some, “Bruised” comes next with distant vocals and single dramatic strumming guitar. Picking up the tempo through the chorus, the beat takes a harder turn as the song comes together, creating an upbeat, yet lonely feel. Continuing with this lyrical theme, “Live A Lie” is a heavier track with powerful vocals and foot-stomping beats reminiscent of Lacuna Coil. While the vocals are the focal point, the guitars and drums present an instrumental version of struggling in a toxic relationship, completing the emotional frustrations of the words. Coming on in a more gentle fashion, “My Angel” begins with muted vocals, repeating “You were the only one…” Lyrically speaking about being left behind by someone, but with no bitterness, only deep sadness.
Compelling in its title, “Last December” is a majestic song with beautiful Gothic textures that set the listener into a dream-like trance to start before muscled guitars join in. A brief pause for a lighter to flick and a shaky exhale, this song feels sung in the dark with memories and grief flashing around. A slight change in style, “Holy Ghost” features a slapping bass guitar taking the lead in places while multiple vocal styles dance throughout. Conveying a message of a reality check, it takes on the totally opposite feeling of the previous track. Then, perhaps the most Pop friendly of all the songs, “At War” starts off on a delicate note with melancholy piano notes and understated drums. From here, graceful vocals carry a feeling of uncertainty, heartbreak, but with a hint of hope.
Up next, title track, “Worth the Pain,” pulls in an ’80s style, giving an extra dose of old school Rock that is matched with rough unapologetic words. On the other end of the spectrum, “Control” is introduced with a creepy music box melody before giving way to serious Rock. A completely different sounding track, the melody and feel take on a darker, heavier attitude. Allowing more carefully placed sound effects to create a mood, “Scars” comes in with a ticking clock intro before haunting and stormy melodies flow throughout as Kabazie sings brightly over the top. Seeming they cover a great deal within the tracklist of Worth The Pain, rounding it all out, “One Foot In The Grave” brings on the heaviness again, but with some of the most layered vocal production of the entire album. High energy and diverse, it is a killer way to complete the journey.
Overall, Worth the Pain is a great album that draws on a lot of emotion while pulling a lot of different elements into each track. Helping separate themselves from the pack, Letters From The Fire make good use of sound effects to match their instrumentation, making each song a different experience. It certainly seems Stucky’s introduction on guitar has been felt in the songwriting process with influence regarding from Katatonia to Lacuna Coil felt throughout. That being said, Kabazie’s powerhouse vocals rock the album while going hand in hand with the compelling arrangements. Worth the Pain lives up to its title, offering fans a glimpse of the struggles from the forging fires of trial. For this very reason, CrypticRock gives this album 5 out of 5 stars.
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