The Ferrymen return across the river, with a new album, One More River to Cross; which was release on 01/21/2022, on Frontiers Music S.r.l. The melodic metal band has an inclusive discography of two successful albums already, and this new album only adds to the growing legend of success.
The Ferrymen are made up of master Swedish guitarist/songwriter/producer Magnus Karlsson, (Primal Fear, Magnus Karlsson’s Free Fall), and power vocalist Ronnie Romero, (Lords of Black, Sunstorm, Rainow), and complemented by thunderous drummer Mike Terrana, (Rage, Axel Rudi Pell, etc.).
The stunning artwork of Stan W. Decker is a great guide to the story and caliber of the music inside.
The album opens with powerful guitar, bass, and drums, after a quiet, then cinematic opening of keys, on “One Word”. Ronnie Romero’s vocals remind me of a younger Ronnie James Dio, during his time with Rainbow. His vocals are powerful and clear, rising above the power chords and blasting drums. The cool bass chords are thick and heavy. Romero roars, “One word. Louder than everything else. You know you shouldn’t listen. it won’t go away. No matter, how much praise you get. When the night falls only dark echos in your mind”.
There is a positive tone to all of these songs. Despite some of the rough biting lyrics, the keyboards, especially on “The Last Waver”, help soften the power being hurled at you. Romero sings, “We have been walking through the flames.
We have failed over and over again. But always came out on the other side. Close to give up every new day. Close to just walk away. But something kept the flame alive. We came this far. I will never give up trying. We survived again!” Yeah, a real Survivor-like song that lifts you up and keeps you fighting on.
“Shut it Out”, opens with cool keys and Romero singing, “Shut it out. Rise up the world you can change. No one can force me to do anything”. A powerful fight song indeed. Some awesome guitar soloing will make you want to put this one on repeat.
“City of Hate”, is another guitar supremacy track. So much heavy guitar your ears will ring for hours, if played at the right volume. Powerful words set to strong music.
“One More River to Cross”, is the album’s title song and it opens with cinematic keys and atmospherics surrounded by heavy electric lead guitar, bass and drums. Romero sings, “One more day. And one last night. I will return. I won’t slow. I won’t rest!” piercing, cool, then blistering smooth electric guitar soling that set this band apart from any of the other metal bands I have heard this year. Those symphonic strings and atmospheric effects only make this title track more epic.
“Morning Star”, Romero sings, “It has never been so dark. I have never felt so cold. When I see you rise, I know. You’re the one, my morning star”. A perfect ballad/love song similar to what you might remember from the Scorpions.
The rest of the album is similar in nature. Powerful lyrics and even more powerful sound. There is not a bad track on this album. Every track has a good moral story to it. But it is the powerful lead electric guitar and drums that rue the day with this album. Ronnie Romero’s vocals are perfect for this type of music. He has the vocal power to rise above the waves of symphonic choirs, keyboards, lead electric and drums. If you like metal, with little variation, this is your recipe for guitar drilling and drum pounding.
Tracklisting:
1. One Word
2. The Last Wave
3. Shut It Out
4. City Of Hate
5. One More River To Cross
6. Morning Star
7. Hunt Me To The End Of The World
8. Bringers Of The Dark
9. The Other Side
10. The Last Ship
11. The Passenger
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