Years go by and from time to time, certain albums come out that are just plain great. Prior to the Fire is one of these records. I never disliked this band but honestly didn't care after I heard their first LP. Ever since I bought the vinyl version (comes with a 7" with 2 of the best songs on the record, not found on the CD) I have been listening to this album constantly.The recording is amazing. The musicianship is mind blowing. As someone who grew up in the 80s and 90s, this album has all the fixin's of a good gallop metal/thrash record. The lyrics are a bit hokey at times but it's all part of the overall product that makes this record rip.During a time when ironic hipster metal is rife with ham-fisted attempts at sounding like Testament, Priestess swoops in from Canada to show most of us what's up.I say bring it.