Tracks like “Wastelands” and “Cruel Hands” use familiar, Bodom-esque power-metal structures, and the band often drags out what begin as good musical ideas for much too long. Blackguard’s extensive use of keys also sometimes gets dull—though it does work well on the album’s title track. And Blackguard demonstrate solid songwriting ability on “The Fear of All Flesh,” a track that mixes high-speed guitar harmonies, well-placed breakdowns, and tasty thrash riffs. Firefight isn’t exactly going to change the power-metal subgenre, but Blackguard do at least play some catchy tunes. DAVID McKENNA

70,000 Tons just got heavier! The metal cruise festival just added German power-metal legends Blind Guardian and Canadian folk-metal group Blackguard to its lineup, which also includes Amon Amarth, Fear Factory, Iced Earth, and more! Click here for more details.