Review Summary: Ocean Metal...
As Amon Amarth went off to wage wars, drink heartily and pillage unsuspecting villages, little brother Fisherman's Death couldn't help but feel envious of his elder brothers adventurous lifestyle. Here was a Titan that drank, fought and partied like the gods time after time again with no signs of injury or aging. As one adventure ended another one began for Amon Amarth. As Fisherman's Death grew more and more distraught with his current situation Amon Amarth came over and comforted him, telling him that one day he too would adventure like him. Longing for the sea since birth Fisherman's Death could not not stay at home much longer. He dreamt of pillaging the coast and battling nautical fiends with his comrades. He dreamt of adventuring, getting drunk and plugging mermaids. Soon, his dreams turned to reality as he grew old enough to pursue his true passion. This is the story of Fisherman's Death.
The Code is the first full-length album from this Swedish pirating horde. Like his brother, Fisherman's Death has a very distinct sound that combines savage aggression, triumphant melody and epic atmosphere into one prideful entity. Fisherman's Death is very similar to his older brother musically and aesthetically. Yet, he's not quite a clone. Fisherman's Death is his own man and you can feel the nature of the beast with his oceanic take on melodic death metal. Featuring folk metal and ocean motifs that influence everything from the riffing patterns to the lyrics and songwriting, Fisherman's Death is primed for total sea conquest. Duking it out with The Kraken, pirates and other particularly nefarious creatures on a daily basis, Fisherman's Death is not to be taken lightly. He is one tough mother***er. He rides out on his viking longship with crew in hand, ready for the day's adventuring. On this particular expedition, it is in Fisherman's Death' agenda to raid several bulk carriers and rob them of all their mead and gold coins. What lies ahead is not what they were expecting. Instead, they were greeted with a ominous display of decomposing wood and bloodies water. A fleet of ships were decimated just like that by some unseen force. As they began to scour through the wreckage for any signs of life or more importantly booze a massive tentacle shoots out from under the water, viciously grabbing Fisherman's Death by the throat. But, Fisherman's Death being Fisherman's Death, he ripped the tentacle in half and prepared his crew for a furious battle with the dreaded kraken.
The Code features ten epic tracks with a variety of topics being covered among the way. Songs vary from traversing Davey Jone's Locker depths to pirating, to boozing and of course sailing. Fisherman's Death turns this album into a full blown musical journey that unlocks the imagination of the listener. With their exciting riffing style that keeps the music in both death metal and folky, pirating territories, Fisherman's Death prove this oceanic theme is not a gimmick. It plays directly into their core sound which also includes chock-a-block style soloing and beer can/rain samples which adds to the epicness. Vocals are performed in a mid range growl that sound neither too soft or too overbearing. The vocals perfectly compliment the groovy nature of the guitars. Drums and bass adapt to Fisherman's Style and compliment the music. Nothing more and nothing less.
The Kraken lies dead in the water as Fisherman's Death and crew are fist pumping and shouting triumphantly to the gods. The mermaids, impressed by their sheer ruggedness and strength, come over to join the party. Delivering untold amounts of mead, rum, whiskey and honey ham to the seafaring crew, the maidens soon come on board to join the party. What happens next cannot be written because this is a family music site after all. But what I can say is the party takes a vulgar turn for the worse as debauchery reaches a whole new low. Things that I never thought possible were just made possible. Objects that were designed for specific uses should have bee used for just those specific uses.
If you're a patsy *** with no sense of imagination then you will not enjoy this album. If you are an adventurous, fun loving miscreant like myself then you will enjoy. There will be closing paragraph. Enjoy or die you scurvy wretch.
