‘Triality’ from Firedaze is proof (if needed) that new folk and trad folk (and everything in between) should coexist. Firedaze recognise no boundaries of definition and clearly benefit from that view. “It’s folk but not as we know it” – as someone once said.

Firedaze are not easy to forget, hear them once and that thumping throbbing drum sequence and bass drive, enriched with rocky folk-fiddle groove will stay in your head. It’s music for dancing, music for dreaming - chanting power and insistent drive. It’s a mystical musical mixture with a touch of Levellers, a memory of Curved Air and a slice of Jefferson Airplane. I’m no lover of comparison or classification, but it’s more than folk-rock or even that dreaded term ‘roots-rock’. There’s rock for sure but with strong folk threads woven into the fabric. Firedaze take multiple musical threads to create a tapestry of 21^st Century folk.

There are some outstanding tracks on Triality. Listen to Coming Home and End of the Light - Steff’s strong lead vocal and strident guitar, Jen’s violin tripping and dancing over String’s burgeoning bass and the programmed drum platform. I can see festival crowds leaping about on summer evenings. Firedaze are best with their own material, their version of Fever is fine but sits uneasily with the rest of the album. By contrast, Lay Me Down, Gaia and Cheers, Will are wonderful songs to make you shiver. Moody distinctive vocals, ripping guitar, keening fiddle, punching bass - ominous dominance and presence – watch the dark clouds roll in, sense the earth waiting and see Lady Macbeth in the shadows. Remembrance Sunday is a mournful lament to pointless war and fighting that segues into Fighting for Strangers. Firedaze take that traditional song and give it an edge with new lyrics and power-folk programming, while Steff bites out the bitter lyrics across String’s bass barrage.

 Firedaze are Steff (vocals, guitar, programming) String (bass, backing vocals, programming) and Jen (fiddle, backing vocals) and if they don’t sell copies of ‘Triality’ by the bucket load there’s no justice.

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