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When it comes to Power Metal, there are some bands that just shine with originality and innovation, pushing the boundaries of music as we know it and providing unstoppable, timeless classic songs that will never get old and only grow on you with time...okay, this isn't one of those bands. Burning in Hell are basically a poor man's DragonForce without the annoying video game effects, but also without most of the killer sensibility for melodic hooks, which is a pretty fair compromise, I guess. These guys are Brazillian, so that means they basically should rule at making Power Metal, and I guess you could say they do. This stuff is highly entertaining and ridiculously rich in whiddly, squealing solos and double-bass drum cocaine-induced rampages, and while it isn't anything spectacular, it does make for a fun ride - think of it as the Big Mac of Power Metal; cheesy, fattening and incredibly addictive, but not timeless.

This stuff is not really that deep or layered. It's pretty simple, really: speedy riffs, high-flying and triumphant melodies and lots and lots of guitar solos. There are a lot of cool songs here, but mostly they're all jammed at the beginning, with the first three songs being the best ones. "Freedom" has a nice anthemic chorus and some soaring and triumphant melodies, and "Shadow of the Wars" is my pick for best song on here, with its hugely entertaining leads and dynamic structure. "End of the World" is a little slower and more melodic, and isn't it funny how the vocals are so low in the mix? I guess I have to give them credit for knowing their limits and not putting the guy up at the front of a mix when he isn't so talented, but I just feel like the guitars are a little too overwhelming at times. Not a big deal, since they are well done, but the problem remains.

So how does this album hold up at the end of the day? It's a bit soggy, a bit redundant, but also very entertaining and full of Power Metal goodness for those of you who can't get enough of the happy-clappy and fun sort of sound that just refuses to die. With other songs like the bouncy "Forever I'll Be There" with its lighter hooks, the epic "Slave of Darkness" and the very DragonForce-y "Last of the Dragons," complete with trilling melodies and a big sing-along chorus alike, Burning in Hell have crafted a very amiable and agreeable debut here. And look, they even have an eight minute epic in "Shedding Bloody Tears," too (and it is quite good)! It's like every D&D player's wet musical dream. But seriously, folks, this one is good. Get it.