On Fire and their 80s-infused Power/Speed Manifesto

After tearing through Century’s latest album, I’m back from what feels like a two-week break (not even sure myself) to bring you another underground ripper from 2025! The usual schedule of one band per week should be back on track after this, dropping fresh reviews every Friday. So without further ado, welcome back, my wundervoll heavy metal maniax! Today, we’re diving headfirst into the blazing inferno that is On Fire—the Canadian power/speed metal force unleashing their debut album Bite the Blade! Dropped on January 24th, 2025, through the long-standing German label Witches Brew, this one’s already making waves. And with a label that’s been cranking out underground gems for 23 years, you know this is gonna be special.

The lineup reads like a who’s who of underground heavy metal warriors: Jo “Captalicide” on bass (you might know him from Ice War), Alex Rossi of Konquest on drums, Jeff Black bringing his shredding skills from Gatekeeper on guitars, and the commanding voice of Cara McCutchen, known from Mortillery, leading the charge. Pure pedigree.

This is one kick-ass album cover!

Before we even dive into the sound, let’s take a moment to appreciate that absolutely badass album cover. If I saw this in a record store, it would be an instant buy. We’re talking classic 80s speed/thrash aesthetic—a hooded executioner wielding a battle axe, clad in spiked gauntlets and a pentagram chain, standing menacingly beside a colossal skull with blood-red eyes and jagged spikes. The cover promises relentless aggression and steel-clad intensity. This is how you sell an album. Not just with the songs itself, but also the attitude to the listener upon just "seeing" the cover.

The Sound of Bite The Blade - In A Nutshell

So, what does Bite the Blade sound like? This album is a full-throttle, no-compromise assault, balancing pure speed with neoclassical guitar finesse and an undeniable sense of melody. Across its 32-minute and 23-second runtime (seriously, that timing can’t be a coincidence—it’s too perfect), On Fire delivers a high-octane barrage that feels like a blend of 80s Japanese heavy metal intensity mixed with the raw power of bands like Crowley and Prowler. But don’t come in expecting the straight-ahead riff barrage of See You in Hell-era Crossfire or early Metallica—this leans way more into the melodic and intricate riffing of power metal, so think Helloween or Blind Guardian rather than pure speed metal chaos.

I’ll be honest, the album doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel. It sticks firmly to its sound from start to finish without throwing in any wild surprises. But that’s not a bad thing—it’s built for headbanging, screaming along, and raising your fist to the sky. If you want variety, look elsewhere, but if you’re craving a no-nonsense blast of high-energy, pedal-to-the-metal speed/power fusion, Bite the Blade has you covered.

A Short Dive Into the Lyrical Themes of Bite The Blade

Lyrically, we’re in classic true metal territory—defiance, battle, vengeance, and seizing life before death claims you. Let’s break down three standout tracks:

“Bite the Blade” – A straight-up battle hymn. The lyrics depict a warrior surrounded by enemies, standing firm with a sword and courage as their only defenses. There is a strong theme of refusing to submit to the enemies. The imagery of devouring steel and biting the blade reinforces a "no-fear, all-or-nothing" mentality. The chorus "You bite the blade" suggests taking control of one's fate through battle, endurance and victory over adversity.

“I’ll Destroy You” – As brutal as it sounds. It's a no-nonsense track about facing a monstrous adversary and destroying it completely (IN this case we're talking about a vampire) The vampire, which can also be seen as a symbol of parasitic evil, represents a manipulative force. The protagonist resists, sees through deception and ultimately becomes the avenger who burns the creature to ash. The aggressive and personal nature of "You fuck with me and I'll destroy you" makes it feel like a direct .

“Tomorrow” – Shifting gears from battle and bloodshed to existential dread, this track wrestles with the crushing weight of time and the fear of wasting life. It’s about refusing to rot away in repetition, rejecting the chains of routine, and living like there’s no tomorrow. It’s bleak, but it’s also a rallying cry—break free, chase what matters, and don’t let life slip away.

Thanks for reading!

I’ll be honest, Bite the Blade didn’t grab me instantly. This isn’t my usual go-to style, but I gave it time, let it sink in, and now? I get it. It’s not the most groundbreaking album, but what it sets out to do, it absolutely nails. Pure, relentless power/speed with no filler, no fluff—just straight-up heavy metal fury. If these maniacs ever hit Germany for a show, you better believe I’ll be there front and center.

As always, support the bands keeping true metal alive—grab some merch and crank this beast up loud! 🔥

You can grab the CD here: CD

You can grab the Digital Album here: Digital Album