Netherbird, Swedish Death metal, black metal, symphonic etc. etc., metallers have unknowingly been around for nearly 10 years. I for one will hold my hand up and say ‘who?’ With an array of previous releases including their first single in 2005 ‘Boulevard Black’. Two years later came their first EP ‘Blood orchid’. In 2008 their debut album came about with mixed reviews. All of which these releases were made of a mixed group of chaps including Adrian Erlandsson of At the Gates. The band plodded on and over the next couple of years more ep’s were released. In 2009 the band line-up was finally complete then, in 2010 ‘Monumental Black Colossal’ the full length, second album was released with the full line-up. More EP’S followed and now in 2013 ‘The ferocious Tides of Fate’ of which I have my mitts on is to be released.
With the first track ‘Elegance and Sin’ I thought I was in for some sort of strange Burzum with a bit of 80s hair metal mixed. Thankfully that’s not the case! The start, yes a little cheesy with some old school solo (think Kiss – God gave…) but then it interrupts with an explosive smack in the face… heavy riffs and screams that any women with pms could relate to. Towards the middle of the track is slows down and adds a much deeper vocal range. However, before you know it you’re back into the fast tempo and crazy high-pitched screams. I personally like the way this track ended. The whole thing stops then adds a bit of relaxing electric guitar, to which; out pops Zakk Wylde with his pinched harmonics. (Well ok not the Zakk part but the pinched harmonics are all over the show!)
The second track ‘Sa Talte Ygg’ starts off with the sound of rain, then in come the church bells… then… demonic vocals. Thunder now… then some brutal drum rolls. The riffs are good on this, but it’s just got that feeling where you think you’ve heard it before. Anyhow, it’s a good track nevertheless. The vocals on this one are much heavier, think Johan from Amon Amarth. Then there’s ‘Ashen Roots’ and I’m sure it’s the exact same riffs as the last track?
‘Shadow Walkers’ mellows right down with some doom riffs and some extremely awe-inspiring old-style black metal vocals. The track gets a little faster but not too much so that it doesn’t ruin the doomish feel.
My favourite off this album is ‘Along the Colonnades’. The long but completely awesome intro could be on a cult film soundtrack like The Crow or The Lost Boys due to it. The track carries on though, adding some drumming then going up-tempo and throwing all sorts of riff shapes all over. Stopping it its track nearly half way through and in come the vocals and the groovy riffs alongside just a brilliant track!
Ending the short journey on ‘Of the Setting Sun’ again, a long impressive intro, this time the pace goes aggressive and it’s seemingly more Dani Filth than Amon Amarth on vocals this time Don’t let that put you off though. The music itself has pure talent oozing out of it and it is a cracking album you can tell these fellas know their shit and have been around for quite a while.
(6/10 Charlene Rance)
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