Winter is essentially German goth-wave rocker Markus Winter singing and playing just about everything except drums and some keys and synths. Fire Rider embraces the sound carved out by such bands as Sisters of Mercy and Rosetta Stone, and Winter sings like Ian Astbury. Songs like “Unholy Blood” and “Pray” reveal his passion for the genre.
That said, Fire Rider is admittedly less accessible than its predecessor, Pale Horse, as well as angrier and darker and “not quite as catchy and smooth,” Winter writes in the CD booklet. Indeed, he challenges listeners with this record, as it’s a lot to digest -- clocking in at an overly long 78 minutes. Still, for those with perseverance, there is plenty to enjoy on Fire Rider, including some searing guitar solos from Fredrik Pihl, heart-on-darkened-sleeve lyrics, metallic riffing and a few all-out Eighties bangers via the title track about a hellish biker and the autobiographical anthem “Child of the 80s.”
Track Listing:
1. Unholy Blood
2. Fire Rider
3. That Much Is True
4. Child of the 80s
5. Pray
6. Under the Gun (featuring Nera Marmic)
7. Lost in the Love
8. Rough Love
9. Violent Dream (featuring Aliz Aj)
10. Into the Void (featuring Florian Grey)
11. You’ve Been On My Mind
12. Can’t Hold Back the Tears
13. Never Again (featuring Angelina Delcarmen)
14. I Want It Black
15. When All Is Said and Done
16. Run Away From Pain (Pale Horse Part II)
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