High Roller, the debut album from New Jersey, USA hard rock quartet Fire ‘N Ice, is currently available on all digital platforms with a physical release due soon alongside some important support slots this summer. However, it’s not all been plain sailing, with a changing of the guard on the guitar front as Shane Chester has walked away from the band he co-founded.
“Shane left because he wanted to go in a different musical direction. He also recently moved out to Los Angeles to get a fresh start,” said drummer Mike Gemini, who has a multi-band history with Chester. He added: “We love Shane, and wish him nothing but the best in the new chapter of his life.”
Not ones to be held down for long, the band bounced back with new axe-slinger going by the singular name of Sparrow. “He’s been a dedicated fan from the very beginning of this band, then was my roadie up until we chose him as the newest member,” confirmed lead vocalist and guitarist John Torra.
Torra, Gemini, Chester and bass player Marc Spyder recorded High Roller at Hellhound Studios in Rahway, New Jersey with Betto Andrade producing.
Album opener ‘All In’ is a slot machine sliding into a guitar solo intro leading into the album’s title track, a song about an egotistical man with a serious gambling addiction. ‘Welcome to the Show’ was born from an idea Gemini had of crafting a melody specifically meant to open the band’s live sets, originally serving as their show opener before ‘High Roller’. Inspired by the anthemic feel of both Kiss and Aerosmith, the song functions as a full-throttle welcome to the audience, featuring dual lead vocals from Torra and Spyder.
‘Escape (Into the Night)’ was revived from its EP version with a cleaner re-recording, incorporating police scanner audio throughout the track with all four band members acting out reports of a high-speed chase throughout North Jersey. Though centred around the chaos and adrenaline of a chase, the lyrics themselves carry no intended meaning. “The initial version of the song was assembled last minute for our EP by fusing together lyrics from several unfinished songs,” Torra confessed happily. “It has gone on to become a fan favourite.”
‘Don’t You Cry’ is a full-blown arena anthem and stands as a favourite among the band members, written by Spyder as a love song to the band’s audience. Taking inspiration from AOR acts like Winger, the song blends heartfelt emotion with big hooks, making it a ballad that easily catches the ear. ‘Coming Home’ tells a more personal story pulled from Torra’s life on the road. The song reflects long, late-night drives between Long Island and New Jersey, away from his girlfriend and family for rehearsals, performances and recording sessions, often returning home after hours.
Those summer gigs take place in June, July and August, all at the famed Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, supporting Dokken, Steelheart and Slaughter respectively.
“We’re very grateful to be heading back to Los Angeles as well as returning to the Whisky for three huge shows!” said Gemini. “It’s an honour to be able to open for three legendary bands, at a legendary venue where a lot of bands got their start. It’s an opportunity not everyone has a chance to get. So, we’re very thankful and grateful for these opportunities!”
