IZEGRIM – The Ferryman’s End
- Posted on 14-03-2016
In the current scene cross-pollination of metal’s sub-genres usually opens up horizons as far as appeal – as long as the impetus is natural and not too forced. Dutch act Izegrim have been brandishing their death-oriented thrash wares for the better part of a couple of decades, as "The Ferryman’s End" is their fifth full-length and first in three years. For those unfamiliar with the quartet, these 11 tracks are fairly straightforward in terms of attacking riffs, occasional blast-beats amidst the mid-tempo and slightly groovier passages, and bassist Marloes Voskuil’s surrendering her throat for the sake of savage growling insanity.
Intertwining quicker hitting numbers like "Time to Run" and "Lost in Tranquillity" that will surely elevate blood and adrenaline flow with efforts that have a touch more doom to speed and groove back again maneuvers ("Endless Desire" fits this bill), Izegrim has that raw fierce guitar tone and natural drum sound that could harken back to the early Teutonic thrash days of Kreator/Sodom, while also maintaining a little bit of that early death metal swing that put Carcass and Obituary on the landscape. A concept album relating to an insane character awaiting his imminent death row execution for murder, you really feel all the bellows, gurgles, and screams in "The Evil Within" while keeping up the mania for the blitzkrieg death trill-fest "Reflection of Redemption".
"The Ferryman’s End" has this down to earth passion that can get lost in a digitally driven age where certain artists want pristine clarity over the human element for studio recordings. As such, the 41-minute album has great dynamic appeal and bristles with proper energy – Izegrim may never ascend to the top in their particular niche, but their cult-like followers will be appeased that they haven’t compromised for style’s sake. Whirlwind action sure to follow.
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