In recent years, there haven’t been many local Chicago metal bands that excite me. Matter of fact, there’s not much of anything new going on. So whenever a local band forms and grabs my attention, it’s a special occasion. Enter Fer de Lance. This supergroup trio consists of vocalist/guitarist MP (Moros Nyx, Professor Emeritus), guitarist/bassist Collin Wolf (Smoulder, Olórin), and drummer/bassist Rüsty (Hitter, Satan’s Hallow, Midnight Dice). According to their Bandcamp bio, they “came together to make uncompromising music devoid of the demands of genre and scene”. On the surface, this is an accurate description, but it’s one that doesn’t do them justice.
Fer de Lance plays bombastic epic metal which isn’t heard around these parts. The only other local act I can think of in the same realm is Chris Black’s defunct Dawnbringer project. Their debut EP, Colossus, appears to be a concept epic similar to Bathory’s Blood on Ice (1996). I can’t definitively say it’s a concept piece. The band has not said so. However, the music and lyrics speak for themselves. Without further ado, here’s my interpretation of Colossus.
Like all great stories, Colossus begins by setting the scene. In this case, the scene is a “City in the Sea”. Acoustic guitars and echoing choirs create a vast atmosphere which carries the entire EP. We’re also treated to a shredding solo from Wolf. This guitar work is uncharacteristic of his main band, Smoulder. Colossus does a great job showcasing the individual abilities of each musician, some of which otherwise may have never been heard. The story continues with the title track. As seen on the cover artwork, “Colossus” is the town idol. He is “…rock, strong and pure…immune to love, never feel pain” and watches destructive events transpire similar to those of Blood on Ice.
Rising above the misery and woe is a hero. “Fer de Lance” introduces us to the central figure. This brave warrior is of “God, man, and jungle”; armed and ready to avenge his city. It’s the heaviest track and gives off a power metal vibe. This is thanks to the twin riffs during the verses and another shred clinic of a solo. Our story ends with “Triumph and Tragedy”…or does it? On this slow, doomy song, our hero makes his way through the forest. He has accepted his destiny with sword in hand. Through “Triumph and Tragedy”, he will prevail.
It could be that none of these songs have anything to do with each other. Maybe they were written separately with an underlying theme in mind, but not a story. Whether there is or isn’t a concept, the fact that Fer de Lance’s debut release evokes such imagery speaks volumes. A tragedy, this is not. Colossus is a triumph of colossal proportions.
8 out of 10
Label: Cruz del Sur Music
Genre: Epic Heavy Metal
For fans of: Blood on Ice era Bathory, Atlantean Kodex, Dawnbringer