One doesn’t often hear tales of the Luxembourg metal scene, so pull up a sandbag and I’ll spin you a yarn. Formed in 2010, Feradur released debut album “Epimetheus” in 2015 before ditching their vocalist and recruiting their producer on guitar and vocals, and adding a third guitarist.
I gave the debut a cursory listen before diving into this review, and though a reasonably competent poke at emulating the heavier facets of the Gothenburg sound, it isn’t a patch on this. The newly founded triumvirate of guitars delivers layered melodies whilst maintaining thick rhythm chops, giving the band room to experiment without tumbling fully into the abyss of mediocrity that has plagued the career of In Flames and some of their ilk.
Kudos to the band for not resting on their laurels, however, their appetite for trying something new doesn’t always pay off. “Of Greater Deeds” in particular doesn’t quite hit the mark, and “Amplification Monolith” is another attempt at progressive experimentalism that seems at odds with the rest of the album. The synth intro, jarring rhythms and ethereal dreamy lead breaks are clearly reaching for the heady heights achieved by Dark Tranquillity, and whilst admirable, these two songs fall a bit short of their potential.
Minor proggy hiccups aside though, there’s plenty of highlights on “Legion”. New frontman Mario Hann, aside from having a fantastic moustache, delivers his vocals ferociously and with clear enunciation throughout. Songs such as “Fake Creator” and “The Night They Were Taken” keep the energy up with some chug-along Amon Amarth-esque riffage, whilst there are hooks amongst the changes that bring to mind the ponderous swampy optimism of Kalmah.
“Maelstrom” is another highlight, a slow-burner with tremelo picked melodies set against a solid backbeat, devolving into an introspective chug-fest before an outrageous solo segues the listener into a riff-o-rama that ends all too soon.
The quality and musicianship is clearly present, and a little refinement of their experimental urges will yield even greater results in future. There’s a consistent tone to this album and not a truly bad tune in sight, making this an enjoyable slab of modern melodic death metal. Let’s hear some more from Luxembourg please!
(7/10 Doogz)
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