'Firebird' is probably the most epic song Keith and I ever wrote, and was THE song that was a turning point in our co-operation.

In the months after 'Rise', during Covid, I wrote the music for 'Firebird'. Initially, my idea was to ask a more metal-oriented singer for this song. But since I had already done a few new songs with Keith at the time, I thought: 'let's see if Keith can sing metal. He's never done that, but who knows it'll work out'.

And guess what, the result was amazing! Challenged out of his well-known comfort zone, Keith outperformed himself. The hammering vocals right on the double bass groove in the chorus, combined with the Led Zeppelinisque vocal lines in the verses, made it an intense song.

After we did 'Firebird' Keith and I organically started co-writing instead of working on a 'hired-gun' basis. It was also the moment I decided to work with only 1 singer on 'Here to Stay' instead of continuing the concept I had on 'Rise', where I was working with multiple singers. 

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