I'd buy this album for the cover alone. The drama and the colours of the 19th century painting by Swedish painter Marcus Larson is imminent. Amazing stuff.
Netherbird have also grown to be quite amazing. The Swedes move in a universe where death and black metal are fused, where melody and the big musical epic come together with craftmanship.
Untied by conventions, Netherbird have no problem sounding like a black metal band one minute, and then paying homage to Paradise Lost the next. The Paradise Lost element comes in the tune Shadow Walkers, which also happens to be my favourite track of 'The Ferocious Tides of Fate'. The same tune is elegantly concluded with folky fiddles, by the way. Excellent stuff.
With 'The Ferocious Tides of Fate', Netherbird have managed to create a diverse, yet whole release; it's a solid and mature album which encompasses elements of black, death and goth in balanced measures. If you forgot to buy your metal friends a Christmas present, this could be a tip.
