FIRSTBORNE – Lucky

Firstborne are an international hard rock / heavy metal power trio created by former Lamb of God / Megadeth drummer Chris Adler. He and guitarist extraordinaire Myrone started collaborating together in 2019 before they were blessed with Girish and the Chronicles vocalist Girish Pradhan. Can they be considered a supergroup? It’s highly possible. After releasing a string of singles and EPs, the group finally put out their debut studio album titled, Gods of Fire (2023), which included current Megadeth bassist James LoMenzo. Two years later, now on M-Theory Audio, they have a new studio album out now called, Lucky (2025), no LoMenzo this time, however. On the plus side, well-respected producer Eugene “Machine” Freeman returned to the producer’s chair, after working with the group on Gods of Fire.

A Headbanging Good Time

The album kicks off with “Again,” a thrilling and high intensity banger with pure rawness and aggressiveness. “Rescue Me” leans into pop territory with gravitating vocal melodies and an undeniably, catchy chorus. The entire album is old-school meets new-school with the raw production and dirty guitar tones of the former, and the pop hooks and alternative rock persona of the latter. “Shine” is all about the bass with its funky and swaggering groove. Oddly enough, it gives 1950s western movie vibes, like walking into a bar with the jukebox playing and a cold beer in hand. “Wake Up” is full-on thrash metal with ferocious double kick drumming, screaming vocals, and a no nonsense attitude. It’s literally Pradhan screaming at listeners to get their act together or else this world will eat them alive!

“Only a Fool” would make an excellent song to play live, not in the stadium, though, it has to be in an underground club. The guitar riff is fantastic, the vocal melodies are genius, it’s got a good beat, and the chorus has a hook to die for. “Heavens Return” is a midtempo number that lyrically gives hope for restored peace and heaven’s return, despite the current hell of the world; refer back to one of the previous tracks, “Wake Up.” There’s also a rebellious nature to the song, which is quite nice. “Humans Interrupted” is such a fun song, despite its subject matter. It’s loud, wild, fearless, and a heck of a good time! There’s nothing like poking fun at the idea of machines taking over humanity. Lucky closes on a high note with the alternative rock banger, “Minefield.”

Music is a very powerful thing because there’s a song or album for every mood, whether it’d be anger, sadness, joy, fear, or disgust. Please ignore the Inside Out (2015) movie reference. Firstborne’s Lucky fits the anger category really well. It’s a good album to listen to when needing to unleash some steam and forget their troubles. Ah, there’s nothing like headbanging in an underground club to hard and heavy alternative rock music!

Final Assessment

The raw production is a major highlight of the album that adds to its ferocity and charm. For a thrash metal / alternative rock album, though, it’s not common to hear dirty, bluesy guitar tones on the record, which is a fascinating combination that works really well. Pradhan’s vocals are incredible; it’s no surprise that he can be both melodic and tough-as-nails, however, it’s easy to forget how effortless it comes for him. That dude can sing his butt off, whether it’s melodic rock, thrash metal, alternative rock, or classic rock! For those who are interested, give Firstborne’s Lucky a chance!

Album Tracklist

1. Again
2. Rescue Me
3. Shine
4. Wake Up
5. Normandy
6. Only a Fool
7. Heavens Return
8. Human Interrupted
9. Prometheus
10. Minefield

Band Lineup

Chris Adler – drums
Myrone – guitars
Girish Pradhan – lead vocals

Check out the music video for “Rescue Me” from Firstborne’s Lucky!