Ninja – Into the Fire (Album Review)

Into the Fire is the 4th album from German heavy metal act Ninja re-released March 18, 2016, on Pure Steel Records after its original release in 2014. Ninja were formed in 1986, their debut album, Invincible, came out in 1988 with 2 other albums, Liberty in 1992 and Valley of the Wolves in 1997. After calling it a day in 1997 they recently reformed in 2014 and released the new album Into the Fire.

The opening track, “Frozen Time”, is a slow affair and in my eyes a strange opening track but then “Thunder” comes on and this is when the album really starts with great chugging guitars and good vocals. The best way I can think of describing it is it’s very like Accept. Track 3, “Vagabond Heart”, is a lovely, slow rock/blues track followed by “Masterpiece” with its’ epic opening which transforms into a great rock track. “Hot Blond Shot”, has some great riffs with lots of solos from guitarist Frangus in between the vocal verses. Track 6, “Always Been Hell”, is a pretty lacklustre ballad but then “Blood of My Blood” gets the blood pumping again and back on the Accept sound with lots of crunchy guitars and piercing vocals. “Coward” keeps the party going with a great song that reminds me of Krokus material and then it’s on to “Last Chance”, another catchy number with a great chorus. Track 10, “Sledgehammer”, is my favourite track on this album, a real toe-tapper and great in-car music. “Supernatural” is another song in the AC/DC style and Into the Fire finishes with the title track, another really nice ballad with alternating female vocals.

The best way for me today to describe Ninja‘s Into the Fire is to say if you like music in the vein of Krokus and Accept then this may be for you. Into the Fire‘s crunchy guitars and raspy vocals are not really the best at this type of style but a decent try.

Mark 5 out of 10.

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BUY: Ninja – Into the Fire