The "back to the heavy metal roots" tendency didn't pass the band from Richmond, Virginia. When the epic cover art appeared before the official release of this CD, everybody was concerned whether the Thunderpussies are going to switch to something in the spirit of Manowar or HammerFall or not. People started to worry even more when it got clear that the new vocalist is coming from a true thrash metal band. Don't panic - the changes aren't that bad. When talking about the cover art - think about that southern gang from the 70’s called Molly Hatchet - their fantasy cover artworks never fit to the whole musical background. So much with that fear - it totally melts down after just one solo when the guitar is in the hands of someone such as the well known to many Eric Larson. Anyway, this is the end of the hazy stoner riffs - it's time for some real southern metal! Which doesn't mean these guys polished their sound - no way! After splitting with Frank Kozik's Man's Ruin label (responsible for releases by Kyuss, The Dwarves, The Melvins, The Hellacopters, Fu Manchu, Zeke, Acid King, Iron Monkey, Dozer, L7, Turbonegro, Beaver, etc.), today Alabama Thunderpussy's home is Relapse - the last stop before going to the major league... eventually. I don't think Mastodon are sorry for anything at all... As for the new addition, Kyle Thomas - the heights his worthy powerful voice reach went for sure through an alcoholic filter, so forget about any heavy metal wails in this case. Rather imagine a drunken, barbarian battle roar, just like the one in the end of the song “None Shall Rise”. From the very beginning till the absolute end throughout the whole 11 songs in “Open Fire” you won't hear a single slow moment, so there's a possibility you could get tired or, in other words, it could bore you with its intensity, typical for southern bands. To put it straight - this is not for any easy-going chaps. The album is one mean combination of hard, melodic rock and traditional heavy metal, which you could easily label as one of the greatest southern metal albums up to date.