It’s 1981. Over 120 years ago the warlock K. K. Fossor and the witchfinder Peter Thompson did battle in the town of Hemmersmoor and we were left in a situation where Fossor had managed to resurrect his daughter but it came at a price; she was possessed by the crimson corpse, a foul spirit which had plagued Fossor for years. These are the events of the first three albums of THEM; a theatrical power and thrash band inspired by the legendary Mercyful Fate and King Diamond along with many of the titans of the classic metal sound. Now, we jump head on into the streets of “Fear City”, the band’s fourth full length release which continues the tale of Warlock K. K. Fossor, a man displaced in time but out for revenge. So strap in and get ready!
“Excito” opens the album and it is essentially a narrative track. Soundbytes of someone channel surfing give us the time frame of this story: Reagan is President, John Lennon recently got whacked, TV evangelists preach to the millions and there’s been some kind of accident in the town of Hemmersmoor which is followed by two words which will no doubt please many fans of the band. From here on out, we get the ball rolling on the music. “Flight Of The Concord” doesn’t seem to have any links so far to the story from what I can gather but what it does do is introduce the new focus of the band’s sound on this release. Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, classic Helloween, 80’s thrash and MF/KD are all blended together. Fast paced much like its lyrical subject, this track takes off is a blistering melodic metal attack. Catchy choruses, killer riffs and intense, it sets the mood and the more story inspired tracks begin.
“Welcome To Fear City” opens with a pounding and tight riff which quickly draws the band in and gives us the more power metal based sound. Name dropping the location of the fear city, 80’s New York, we are given the experience of a man displaced in time as he tries to orientate himself and resolves himself to do what he is compelled to do. The track has that turbo charged feel to it like some of the earlier Iced Earth works and the rhythmic solidity is phenomenal. “Retro 54” opens with a vocal refrain which pays homage to one of the greatest and severely overlooked Iron Maiden songs of all time before it bursts to life. Depicting that 80’s nightclub feel with the synth lines creating the atmosphere whilst the guitar/bass/drums carry the pulse, the track is loaded with NWOBHM melodic hooks, captivating vocals loaded with dynamic expressions and captures the feel of someone trying to search through the haze of smoke and sea of bodies for someone or something.
“An Ear For The Action” is a short narrative transition which brings a cinematic touch to the album. No doubt inspired by the iconic film “The Warriors”, it has the gang radio host announcing Fossor’s presence in New York after we learn of his plans to get revenge on the descendant of the witchfinder. This flows right into “Graffiti Park”, a track which has a sense of urgency in the air as the tension rich intro leads to a tale of trying to survive against all odds in this pseudo-supernatural turf war. A sense of desperation fills the lyrics as the synths yet again craft a solid atmosphere over the hard-hitting metal beneath. The pacing is executed well, swelling in just the right spots to help give a good mental image of a man on a mission trying to fight his way across the city to fulfil his mission. “191st Street” continues the journey and retains the same musical pacing. Moderately paced with moments of higher intensity, it adds more focus on the atmosphere with the composition of the track which in turn leads to more intricate fills and sections as opposed to a solid onslaught of riffing. Hitting the halfway point of the album is “Home Stretch”, a narrative track which progresses the story and begins to set the groundwork for the finale of the story in the release.
“The Crossing Of Hellgate Bridge” is an epic themed track. A big dramatic and grandiose intro opens this 9+ minute track and as soon as it kicks in you know it’s going to be big. Blistering 80’s thrash slams into you as Fossor’s vocals drop some of the theatrical edge and go right to raw and commanding. The track has the 80’s Metallica edge to it along with the MF/KD vibes and despite its length it doesn’t feel like it drags on. The pacing is solid yet again. As the track speeds through flowing melodic leads and shredding solos, it slows down and builds up a sense of desperation and an even more intense atmosphere. Pounding drums and guitars and synths which linger cut in and out before it hits a more stable riff based approach to wrap it up. “Death On The Downtown Metro” brings back the more theatrical flair. Dramatic arpeggios sweep in over the pounding intro and a break neck paced, frantic blitz of melodic thrash slams in again. Tight palm muted machine gun riffs into piercing pedal tone stabs, haunting falsetto wails and commanding shouts, a cacophony of blastbeats and buzzing riffs. It’s an action-packed track which helps pave the way for the ending run. “Stay Tuned” brings back one last radio narration before the final trio of tracks is up.
“A Most Violent Year” is a musical based transition track which could have simply been incorporated into the track which follows it. Roughly a minute long it builds up the intense atmosphere before it flawlessly slips into “The Deconsecrated House Of Sin”. The fast-paced nature of the track really builds on the atmosphere as it promises a dramatic climax to the story. Intense, it is THEM doing what they do best, bringing the lyrics to life with a powerful composition which perfectly captures the mood and atmosphere. Dramatic soloing over pounding rhythm, urgent feeling choruses and dynamic vocal lines. It all builds to a climax as the track slips into the finale; “In The 11th Hour”, the track where warlock and witchfinder descendant finally come face to face. More of a narrative piece in terms of its content, it depicts the fate of this encounter brilliantly with the acting and composition. A slow, grandiose feeling piece, it’s dramatic melodic hook lingers as the composition rises and falls. Synths soar as the melody has a haunting and sorrowful edge to it whilst it leaves an unresolved feel in the air… Just what will happen next? Is this it?
“Fear City” is an album I was eagerly waiting for and THEM have delivered exactly what they promised. A flowing, cinematic feel to the music helps bring the stories within the lyrics to life once again and the music is solid and spot on as always. Whether it is thrash, power metal or the more extravagant touches, THEM deliver in style. Take a seat by the altar, stay a while… Stay forever!
(9/10 Fraggle)
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