THE FERRYMEN – One More River To Cross

The return of the Power Trio

Is there still a need to introduce the three members of The Ferrymen? Magnus Karlsson (PRIMAL FEAR, MAGNUS KARLSSON’S FREE FALL) on the guitar and main composer, Mike Terrana on the drums (RAGE, AXEL RUDI PELL,…) and Ronnie Romero (LORD OF BLACK, RAINBOW). The trio evolves in Melodic Metal with a definite classic sound with an ultra-modern production. One More River To Cross is their third effort together in the same style. This is perhaps the only negative critique you could give them: a lack of evolution since their first album. However, the Ferrymen fans (the passengers?) will be delighted with this new record as they will find all the elements they enjoyed in the previous albums: the enchanting voice of Ronnie Romero, which has a little something of a snake charmer, great orchestrations and everything backed up with solid rhythmics and epic riffs and soli.

Third Charm

Some would argue of quality over quantity, but here they managed to successfully articulate both. None of these songs is bad and there is a variety of atmospheres. First epic and dramatic with the title track “One More River To Cross”, the real highlight of the album. Here, the orchestrations elevate the chorus to a new level. Then almost a ballad with  “Morning Star” with Romero really pushing it on the display of emotions almost to the point of overdoing it (crying in the rain or howling to the moon style). And more of this with “Other Side”. Even if there is this little too much touch, the sheer talent compensates for this. “The Last Ship” and “The Last Wave” are also immensely enjoyable and may remind you of Masterplan earlier albums, which is not a bad comparison. “The Passenger” deserves a good mention as well.

A long crossing

Despite a few lengths One More River to Cross is still one more album to enjoy without fussing about. Classic can be a virtue especially when it is defended with this talent and precision.