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RAVE IN FIRE
Square One

High Roller (2026)
Rating: 8/10

With cover art that reminds me of some sort of late 90s console game, Square One is the oddly titled new opus from Spanish rockers Rave In Fire who, and excuse my pun, I raved about in the not too distant past with their debut album, Sons Of A Lie (2022).

With countless newer bands opting to not just skinny dip, but wade through a decade they never experienced, Rave In Fire is a somewhat refreshing entity that seems genuinely in tune with the 80s. Firstly, and most importantly, the Madrid-based band has the songs, each one fizzing with the electric action of Jonjo Negrete’s mesmeric axe tone. Even with the straight up nostalgic anthems (‘Still Standing’) there’s a flash of intricacy sparked by the tight and whizzing lead work; the posse straddling a line between the Scorpions and Megadeth, especially with ‘Speed And Rave’.

This is wonderfully executed heavy metal caressed by progressive strokes while retaining a cosy, sizzly air of enchantment and leathery swagger. Content to introduce dashes of Judas Priest-esque zip, Square One also, and more expectedly, nods to the likes of Warlock, Chastain, Hellion et al, but mainly due to being led by the powerhouse vocals of Selene Perdiguero. Her tone is so nostalgic that at times I just want to throw on those old Pat Benatar and Lee Aaron albums. For evidence of such comparisons check out the smouldering ‘Knightwalker’ or the AOR qualities of ‘Crown Of Stars’.

However, the album isn’t just fluff and flickering neon lights. ‘Untiring Eagles’ is pure Judas Priest steel, a sublime and concise steamroller to cement Rave In Fire’s place as a modern day top tier 80s throwback. This is so much more than retro gazing, the foursome effortlessly drifts through a batch of brilliant heavy metal songs that ooze confidence and brim with know-how.

As combinations of Warlock and Dokken crackle with electric pomp, Rave In Fire struts off into the sweaty bowels of their time machine knowing that Square One is a job well done.

Neil Arnold

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