Hailing from Aalborg, Denmark, the quintet Ferocity release their second album “The Sovereign” and first for Deepsend Records. With an act normally this far into their career (Ferocity began in 1995), fans would think that if you started playing death metal that you would slowly morph into more mainstream ways to attain a wider following. The 10 tracks of this record tell a different story: a story of a band willing to embody the aggressive side of the NY and FL styles and also look at the extreme elements that make the Scandinavian and Polish scenes.
“…And the Rest Is Silence” gives you a 16 second opening to ease into the jagged, heads-down riff pounding and relentless blasting machine that is drummer Nikolaj Kjaergaard- although the down tuned chorus contains this sick segment of pile driving parts that are sure to stir up a massive wall of death. The follow up “Chain of Command” contains more of the Swedish meets English elements- the growls from Kasper Wendelboe equal to the deepest work of Chris Barnes and Frank Mullen combined as the riffs and tempo churn at a modest pace.
The key to making memorable death metal is to create melodic elements and varying tempos while still delivering uncompromising riffs, vocals, and tones. Songs like “XIIth Legion” and “Blind Disciple” exemplify Ferocity’s need for speed and dynamic transitions- sure to create limb and brain damage on all corners of the globe. The cover art also gains appeal- not the typical blood, gore, and guts approach but still making a visual statement with the skulls, gas masks, and grey sky.
42 minutes that will appeal to the extreme death metal masses, “The Sovereign” delivers on all fronts.
Matt Coe, HMS
msc2471@comcast.net