Blog Post

DeadFire – ‘Pro[Pain]’

Gareth Griffiths • 17 April 2023

Single Review

Aberdeen-based DeadFire have been recording music and playing gigs for over a decade now with their brand of high energy, riff laden, hard rocking music. But whilst the dreaded lockdown of the pandemic killed the hopes and aspirations of many a band, Charlie (vocals), Rich (guitar), Boothy (bass) and Tunk (drums) came out of other side re-energised, playing live, securing support slots and releasing singles that were well-received in the music world. Indeed, in previous reviews, Rockfiend described ‘Anxiety Society’ as “a very funked up form of stoner rock which screams “listen to me””, whilst ‘Live or Die’ was lauded as “everything we love about hard rock and metal”. So, they’ve already set a high bar!

2023 has already panned out to be just as fruitful for DeadFire, having recently signed to Rockfiend Management whist being booked to play three shows in April; Dundee MetalFest (22nd April), a headline show at 13th Note in Glasgow (29th April) and The Harbour Lights in Peterhead (30th April). This will be followed by the ‘Heaven & Hell Tour’ with French rockers Harsh throughout June; Dreadnought Bathgate (16th June), The Purple Cat, Methil (17th June), Trillians Newcastle (18th June) and Ivory Blacks, Glasgow (22nd June).


With all the live dates to look forward to, it seems logical for the lads to release a brand new single, ‘Pro[Pain]’ on 28th April. Recorded in Edinburgh, this is a political song, aimed at the government and the fact that the rich get richer through corruption and greed whilst the general public suffers the consequences. But can the music be as powerful and brutally honest as the subject matter?


‘Pro[Pain]’ starts with a tight, hard rock guitar riff by Rich that has the heaviness turned up to eleven when joined by the driving rhythm section of Boothy’s meaty bass and Tunk’s hard-hitting drums. There’s a kind of nu-metal feel to it and it’s a riff that wouldn’t be out of place on an Avenged Sevenfold album… yet at the same time, it’s the reassuringly familiar sound of classic hard rock and metal.


Charlie’s vocals are straight to the point from the outset; “can’t you see we’re crumbling away”, he asks the powers-that-be in a cutting, forthright and to-the-point vocal as the bass dances and grooves in the background. The heavy riff continues as Charlie screams “burn” throughout the chorus in a nod to the superb artwork for the single which depicts the Houses of Parliament on fire, perhaps a metaphor for starting again for the good of the people.


There’s no shredding guitar solo because frankly, on a song like this, there’s no need for unnecessary show as it could dilute the message they’re trying to convey. There’s a short bridge section that builds into a crescendo of anguish-filled screams. In many ways, it’s like the legendary ending of Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Killing in the Name’ and perhaps that’s exactly what DeadFire were trying to do, as the theme of the song is very much along the same lines.


I’ve not always been a fan of political songs. Often, they are a bit preachy, pretentious and self-serving (Bono, I mean you!) whilst unnecessarily splitting the fanbase. But on this occasion, DeadFire have crafted a song that speaks on behalf of the masses and very much reflects the current situation in the country. No preaching. No pretentiousness. Just brutally honest lyrics conveyed by music that reflects the theme perfectly. ‘Pro[Pain]’ is DeadFire at their hard, heavy, groovy and riffy best.


Make sure you catch the guys live in April and June and pre-order Pro[Pain] now on the usual platforms, ready for its release on 28th April 2023.

click here to pre order
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