Taking its name from one of the most venomous vipers in Central America, Chicago’s Fer de Lance has captured the essence of metal over the decades and combined it into their debut album The Hyperborean.
Not just a debut, this is a rollercoaster of epic metal proportions imbued with some epic glorious riffs not heard since Bathory’s Hammerheart along with the essence of 70s rock, unafraid of experimentation, think the power of Purple and Rainbow. Its concept is purely epic too, borne out of the isolation of the pandemic it tells the story of the Mariner who leaves the depravity and injustice of the “civilized” world in search of a land devoid of pain and suffering.
The mix of epic atmospheric metal with that Viking proportions is as natural as it is enjoyable. Those glorious riffs are tempered by some beautiful acoustic passages that are all part of the tale intrinsically woven onto the band’s DNA to experiment, surprise, and invoke at times a physical response to their rousing cinematic passages.
The solos shred with technicality and prowess, the vocalist soar with power in True metal style, and the dual work of MP and Mandy Martillo provide the impetus and direction of the album.
Authoritative with strength and yet tender and introspective the ten minutes of ‘’Sirens” is mesmerizing,’’ “Northern Skies” is another shining example of organic acoustic glory.
The Hyperborean is not just a record but a journey of escape redemption and ultimately salvation. Bold, original, and the perfect combination of American and European styles this is exciting, unique, and epic metal!
Fer de Lance: Facebook
Release Year: 2022
Label: Cruz Del Sur Music
Category: Album
Country: USA
Reviewed by Sparky
