This quintet from Leipzig is serving up a heaping helping of heavy rock that returns to metal’s primordial roots.

You don’t need copious amounts of distortion to get heads banging! If you’re hungry for something older than old-school, these Germans might just have the recipe for you! Let’s read the words and learn more about FIRMAMENT:

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present the highly anticipated debut album of Germany’s FIRMAMENT, We Don’t Rise, We Just Fall, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Hailing from Leipzig, Germany’s FIRMAMENT are a new heavy rock quintet begun in early 2021 by ex-members of TENSION, Prisma, and Wayward. Despite three of the members having done time in TENSION – who released their critically acclaimed debut album, Tension, via DYING VICTIMS last year – the goal for FIRMAMENT from the start was to write moving and thus catchy hard rock songs that get stuck in your head immediately as well as stylistically/spiritually returning to an era before traditional heavy metal even existed. So, while it’s tempting to superficially think FIRMAMENT are an extension of where TENSION left off, the truth is that FIRMAMENT are indeed their own “firmament.”

FIRMAMENT’s first recording together was a two-song single, “The Void / Losing You,” which they recorded live in their rehearsal room. The single was first released digitally during the autumn of 2021, and then was released as a super-limited homemade tape sold exclusively at gigs. With such heartfelt and truly homemade passion, during March 2022 did FIRMAMENT enter the studio to record their debut album. Poignantly titled We Don’t Rise, We Just Fall, FIRMAMENT’s first full-length sees the five-piece steering the same ship – the unapologetically old-school vibes of the ‘70s and ‘80s and transferring them to the current time, without being stuck in specific genre boxes – but doing so more masterfully than before. Like those throwback eras (and particularly during the ‘70s), equal emphasis is placed on performance and songwriting, each one informing the other, resulting in an album-long experience where each of these nine songs retains its own identity and personality but come together to create a unified-yet-unique headspace. Just witness the deftly dynamic and era-authentic never-overdriven guitar work, where Tom Michalik and Philipp Meyer weave heartrending twin-guitar melodies; underneath that but actually taking center stage is the propulsive-yet-melodic bass work of Stefan Deutsch, which hooks just as effortlessly as those of his six-string partners. Of course, classic hard rock and proto-metal often lives or dies on the strength of its vocals, and in this department are FIRMAMENT no slouch: delivering his last performance with the band, frontman Maik Huber incites goosebumps with emotive, melancholic lines that sound as old as time and further add an air of mystery to We Don’t Rise, We Just Fall.

While FIRMAMENT are currently working on fresh material with new vocalist Marco Herrmann, We Don’t Rise, We Just Fall stands as a citadel of archaic melancholy – towering in its aura, yet approachable across its moss-covered landscape. Maniacs for ‘70s Scorpions, Blue Öyster Cult, Wishbone Ash, and Thin Lizzy, lay down your sword and stand before FIRMAMENT! 

–DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS

There was a brief period in rock history where the earliest sounds of heavy metal were being explored. Firmament is offering metalheads something different with an exploration into that sometimes forgotten zone. Let’s break it down track by track:

1. Firmament sets the tone immediately and lets you know exactly what this album is: a modern journey into the roots of the our genre. The gain is kept to a minimum while the rocking is kept firmly at a 10. You’ll be bobbing your head along to this in no time. Also, any band that has a self-titled track always gets bonus points with this reviewer. It’s a ballsy move and I like it! This opener accomplishes its mission by setting the tone of what’s to come.

2. The Void kicks into gear right away with quick drums and a driving riff that gets you further into that rocking headspace. The twin guitar attack continues while deftly underscoring the vocals. This is where the more natural electric guitars show their strength: there’s more room to play when you’re not dealing with an oversaturated wall of sound. It’s another example of what this album does well and thankfully there is more fun to be had.

3. Dreams of Misery has an opening riff that is firmly marching in Thin Lizzy territory. The rest of the song continues this vibe with a twin guitar melody that will happily remind you of the legendary Irish forefathers of traditional metal. The lyrics even have that forlorn quality that will make you wistful for times of old, both good and bad. The band is willing to let things breathe and it’s very much appreciated.

4. Live in the Night starts off with a very different vibe and sees the band slowing things down a little bit. That doesn’t mean things grind to a halt! The rocking absolutely does continue but this track is a bit more low key compared to what came before. The twin guitars once again pull off a dueling dance while the bass ably follows along. This is melancholy and melodious rock goodness.

5. Losing You is another track with the band taking its time to build up to a rocking riff. These guys really appreciate silence and empty space as a canvas. That shows a lot of confidence compared to other acts that are new on the scene, where the temptation is to always be faster and louder than everyone else. It’s no mystery why this was chosen along with The Void to be a single for the album.

6. Hide & Seek kicks back into full rocking mode with a slightly overdriven chug that will perk up the ears of classic NWOBHM fans. A song about facing impending doom head-on is a classic metal staple and Firmament succeeds with the formula. A searing solo is the icing on the take that takes this song home in grand fashion.

7. On The Edge will certainly drive you close to a nearby precipice with its opening riff reminiscent of Motörhead‘s golden days before taking you into into familiar sonic highways. Firmament has found a specific zone to work in at this point and they absolutely make the most of it by pulling from various influences while creating their own feel.

8. No Future is another solid track, but this one stands out due to being driven by galloping guitars. From Iron Maiden to Iced Earth, you can’t go wrong with a good, old-fashioned gallop! The gallops are punctuated with spacious riffs and tasty leads throughout. The pace is continuing to be consistent while staying in that melancholy vibe.

9. Last Desire is the strong closer I was looking forward to. The band pulls out all the stops here and leaves you glad you came to the show. It’s got everything enjoyable from the rest of the album packed into one exemplary track: healthy riffing, delicious twin guitar leads, nice underscoring bass lines, and very clean vocals. These elements all come together to put a nice bow on what is a good piece of rock ‘n’ roll.

Wrapping Up:

What Firmament have done here is remarkable. This is a journey into a time long gone where bands were still figuring out what heavy rock was capable of. This isn’t just rock, but it’s not quite heavy metal. It sits in that sweet spot once occupied by classic bands like UFO, Thin Lizzy, and early Motörhead, as well as newer acts like Worshipper, Freeways and Black Trip/VOJD. This is hard rock ‘n’ roll for metal fansand a solid sophomore effort from Firmament. If the band can keep up the momentum, I’ll bet there is more enjoyable heavy rock to come.

THENWOTHM SCORE: 7/10

Bandcamp: https://firmamentband.bandcamp.com/album/we-dont-rise-we-just-fall

Physical Copies: https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/we-dont-rise-we-just-fall

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirmamentRock/