Glasgow Kiss – Down In Flames

Glasgow Kiss
Down In Flames
Label: Eclipse Records
Out: 12 December 2025
Playing time: 34:13

Glasgow Kiss are a female fronted alternative metal band with a power-rock vibe that will rattle the windows and shake the foundations.

I couldn’t resist quoting this. Glasgow Kiss were founded in Bergen (Norway, Vestland province) in 2020. The press release goes on to say that their sound is somewhere between Halestorm, Within Temptation or Nightwish, but they create their own sound space full of vigour, cheekiness and attitude. The EP ‘Fury’, released in 2022, received positive reviews. ‘Down In Flames’, scheduled for December, appears to be the Norwegians’ debut album.

With ‘Destiny’, hard riffs immediately bang out of the speakers. Charlotte Marlen Midtun’s powerful voice is a perfect match. She can clearly assert herself against her fellow musicians. The guitar solo later on is also accompanied by hard riffs. The title track ‘Down in Flames’ starts off a little more calmly. Shortly afterwards, riffs are fired off again, but they are toned down a little during the vocals. Although far away from any mainstream, the chorus is easy to sing along to. And the riff storm continues with ‘On Your Own’. Here, too, Charlotte sings the chorus very melodically. ‘The Wall’ is crowned by a very good guitar solo. After so much unrestrained power, the power ballad ‘One Last Time’ provides the necessary recovery phase for both the listener and the musicians. Charlotte Marlen Midtun impressively demonstrates her vocal skills here. With ‘Forsaken’, all contemplation is literally swept away. ‘Those Wasted Years’ starts with distorted guitars before the rhythm section kicks in with full force. At least until Charlotte enters with her somewhat calmer vocals. Towards the end, the singer shows with her nasty and evil screams that she can do something completely different. The rock stomper ‘Put The Blame On Me’ closes the album. With a classic instrumental fade-out.

The quote from the press release didn’t promise too much. The music on ‘Down In Flames’ literally sets the air on fire. And Glasgow Kiss have an outstanding female shouter on the microphone. And she is spurred on to top vocal performances by her fellow musicians. The Norwegians bring a breath of fresh air to the Metal scene.

Glasgow Kiss – Those Wasted Years: https://youtu.be/GZorrKo321o?si=gkZ2ZHPg2Kd4J7tc

Lineup:

Charlotte Marlen Midtun – Vocals
Daniel Anker Goli – Guitar
Frode Andreassen – Drums
John Erik Soltvedt – Bass
Sveinung Sveen – Guitar

Track list:

• Destiny
• Down In Flames
• On Your Own
• The Wall
• One Last Time
• Forsaken
• Those Wasted Years
• Put The Blame On Me