Fer De Lance | Fires On The Mountainside | Cruz Del Sur Music

 

    Hailing from Chicago, Fer De Lance emerged in the early 2020s as one of the more distinctive names in the world of epic heavy metal. With a sound that draws inspiration from classic heavy, doom, and folk-infused metal, the band’s style is as evocative as it is immersive. Their debut EP, "Colossus," introduced a band capable of fusing grandeur with sharp songwriting, and "The Hyperborean" further deepened their worldbuilding and musical scope. Now, with "Fires On The Mountainside," Fer De Lance reach a level of refinement and vision that reveals their full commitment to epic storytelling through sound.

"Fires On The Mountainside" feels like a journey carved in bronze. Fer De Lance has delivered an expansive and vivid album that leans heavily into mythic themes and cinematic pacing without losing the core weight of heavy metal. From the opening moments, there is a strong presence built on melodic foundations that do not rely on immediacy or aggression but rather a patient construction of atmosphere, feeling, and tension.

The production is balanced and spacious, allowing every detail to breathe. The lead guitars are lyrical and expressive, often resembling chants or echoes from beyond the veil of time. The dual guitar work throughout carries a sense of motion that is neither frantic nor passive—it serves the unfolding of the band’s narrative direction with conviction. MP’s vocals are rich and evocative, matching the solemn and often mournful tone of the album. His delivery doesn’t overpower but instead guides the songs like a ritual chant, steady and unwavering.

There is a deep sense of cohesion across the album’s duration. Each track carries forward a thread of the story or atmosphere, with tempos ranging from meditative to surging, always avoiding monotony. The drumming by Scud is grounded and precise, and Rüst's bass work provides a steady current beneath the arrangements. Black metal elements occasionally emerge—not in force, but as spectral accents that enrich the sonic landscape.

"Ravens Fly (Dreams Of Daidalos)" and "Death Thrives (Where Walls Divide)" in particular stretch out into longer forms, allowing for slow-burning progression and the kind of imagery-rich transitions that deepen the album’s arc. These songs give space for themes to rise and fall organically, with crescendos that avoid melodrama yet remain powerful. The band manages to carry an almost spiritual weight without being self-important or bloated.

There is a strong presence of European epic metal influence, but Fer De Lance applies it with an instinctive restraint. Their songs don’t sprawl unnecessarily—they spiral inward or outward depending on the mood, moving with purpose and grace. Acoustic passages, layered harmonies, and carefully constructed dynamics contribute to a listening experience that rewards immersion.

"Fires On The Mountainside" isn’t concerned with immediacy or accessibility. It invites repeated visits, and each one brings out new shades from within the stone. The album closes with "Tempest Stele," a final invocation that lingers with the weight of prophecy, drawing the cycle to a close not with finality but with solemn continuation.

Score: 9.3