As last gig of the European tour, the Fire! played at Teatro Spazio 89, Milano on March 16th. The venue, which hosted the Necks a couple of years ago, with its medium size capacity and the low wooden stage, grants the attendees the most desirable warmth and intimacy. The gig simply was what you could dream of and expect from such a combo: powerful, pedal to metal hardcore attitude with a monster rhythm section paving the way for the ever astonishing larger than life genius of Mats, himself engaged on reeds and flute. Main focus on the songs from the last record Testament, delivered in such a way that even enriched a true masterpiece. A couple of blasting encores, then soon after the end, all the band members joined the fans taking pictures, shaking hands and selling their stuff. Owning all Fire!’s records, the only cherry we could pick was Aaly Trio’s Sustain, we did it, needless to say, and the drive back home had its perfect soundtrack. Foot note: we didn’t know neither the Trio nor the record, both are beautifully off the scale, another fantastic chapter from Gustafsson’s never ending sonic adventures. –Ferruccio Martinotti
