I love concept albums. The way they can create a gripping narrative and the way the music helps set the scene and enabling a vivid mental movie to unfold and take place in your mind is something truly special and only a select few bands ever manage to convincingly pull off the consecutive concept album run in their discography or in some cases, have their entire discography to date be concept releases. Outside of the more prog-friendly genres, there are few who have managed this feat, usually having one solid offering and then the others falling a little short in places. Iced Earth tried it with their ‘Something Wicked’ trilogy and it just didn’t sit quite right, instead they would have been served just releasing separately themed concept albums which had no overt links to each other!
The reason I go on about this, is that the German/American power-thrash six piece with a flair for the dramatics THEM have brought us chapter 3 in the tale of the warlock KK Fossor, bringing us what could well be the final chapter to the tragic tale of a man who lost it all, a tale of the supernatural and a formidable display of music so far. I say ‘could well be…’ because you never know what could happen when it comes to the occult and spirits, but I am using far too much exposition and introductory wording here… It’s time to see how KK Fossor’s tale unfolds… TO HEMMERSMOOR!
As stated, THEM are a six piece who specialise in the dramatic/theatrical power metal and thrash metal stylings. A solid core of Teutonic thrash, American Thrash and the heavier side of Power Metal all combine with the occult-laden and often theatrical aspects of King Diamond’s work and so far, it has created two fantastic releases, and honestly, I could just end this here and say the closing part to this musical tale delivers.
**Mandatory Spoiler Alert for those interested in the story elements**
The right blend of narrative to musicianship; driving a story along whilst conveying other ideas in the tracks, the work on Return To Hemmersmoor more than deserves its role as the climactic arc to a story which has grown over the past four years. Picking up where “Manor Of The Se7en Gables” left off, we find KK Fossor a broken man once his faithful assistant saves him. Reminded of his purpose and seemingly reinvigorated, he sets sail for Germany, returning to where it all began for his tale of woe whilst being pursued by the Witchfinder Peter Thompson, the man responsible for all his current troubles. With the trusty help of magic and arcane rites, he manages to resurrect his daughter and eventually meets his nemesis in a life or death battle where all is finally revealed, leading him to the realization that every choice has a consequence which can steer life in a multitude of directions.
**spoiler alert ended**
Thematically, it works well, it serves as a good conclusive story arc and by the end of the release, you are left with some questions as to where things could possibly go from here for the warlock which could pave the way for KK to resurface in future works… Lyrically and musically? It is a fantastic blend. The compositional work on display is superb. Every instrument has its place, coming into and out of prominence and focus on each track at just the right part to deliver that high impact spot. The synths give that big overarching feel, augmenting all the elements beneath them, and when they do take the spotlight, their melodic direction provides a solid framework for the impressive Iced Earth like walls of intimidating groove to surge through. The vocal work as always is dynamic. The dramatic falsetto wails to guttural snarls and raspy whispers is just as gripping as the voice acting work in the narrative sections and KK Fossor’s vocal delivery is the perfect medium for directing this story, reading the musical mood well and adding that extra direction much like a conductor would, enabling the right emotions and themes to be conveyed. Bass and Guitar wise? Well, it’s loaded with fantastic thrash driven riffs and shredding solos which have a melodic quality where needed, and a huge presence which drives it all forwards.
The release has its standout tracks like all releases do; “Age Of Ascension” is a thrash machine which opens the musical proceedings with power, “Free” is the Iced Earth style media-friendly metal anthem which can stand alone as a single as well as form part of the story whilst the final trio of “Hellhounds – The Harbingers of death”, “Battle Blood” and “Maestro’s Last Stand” are dramatic in all aspects of their sound and delivery, building the intensity of the story and setting the scene well for a decisive life or death battle and the aftermath of it, bringing in spots where the narrative elements drive the track on to more intense spots (Hellhounds), full on anthemic metal work (Battle Blood, the standout track of the release in my opinion) and callbacks to the first album lyrically and thematically (Maestros..). I could write more and more about this album, hell, this trilogy of albums, but it would end in a directionless mess of praise and phrases repeated in a nonsensical manner! TL;DR is basically listen to the album and just see what I mean!
On “Return To Hemmersmoor”, THEM have created a fantastic album which takes the best elements from the previous two releases and blends them together before dialing up the intensity to 11 and spitting out a phenomenal record. Sure, there are the downsides but I cannot complain, I after all am the Bad guy in the story (or my namesake is anyway!) so hey, publicity!! But it is definitely an album which will require your full focus, it is not for casual listening compared to album #2 (M7G) which at times could pass off as a solid metal album if you ignore the story in the lyrics. If you hail the King (Diamond), love Iced Earth or like some high intensity power/thrash which draws on the best elements of both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in their approach to the genres represented and drawn from, then Return To Hemmersmoor is the album for you!
Til we cross paths again KK Fossor!
(9/10 Fraggle)
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