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The Ferrymen: Iron Will
The Ferrymen - Iron Will Album Art

The Ferrymen: Iron Will

Melodic Heavy Metal Rock
4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 28.01.2025 | Released: 24.01.2025

Nine years on, and four studio albums in their discography, The Ferrymen remain as Magnus Karlsson (Primal Fear, et al) on guitars and keyboards, Ronnie Romero (Sunstorm, Lords of Black et al) on vocals, and Mike Terrana (Rage) on drums. Of this collaboration, Romero has said, "As usual, I just loved singing over Magnus/The Ferrymen songs! As a singer there is nothing better to work on melodies and lyrics that inspire your performance, but also in real life day by day, and that's something I strongly believe the fans of the band like the most of this project ... a strong melodic yet heavy album that I am very proud of." Iron Will is their latest and fourth album for Frontiers Music.

The Ferrymen - Click For Larger Image

The Ferrymen's Magnus Karlsson

Concerning the album and working a as trio, Magnus Karlsson adds: "It's pure fire creating metal with legends like Ronnie and Mike! These tracks hit hard with unrelenting power, but there's this raw, emotional edge woven into the heaviness that I can't get enough of. Heavy, honest, and straight from the soul - that's the vibe we're bringing."


So then, characteristically, The Ferrymen deliver a hybrid mix of guitar-forward classic heavy and power metal infused with traditional hard rock groove, then wrapped in song melody, vocal harmony, and catchy refrains. Digging deeper that rock groove is powered by the terrific and irrepressible drumming of Mike Terrana on his Drum Craft kit. Being the principal songwriter, Karlsson's guitar-driven arrangements give the songs strong guitar harmony but also his ambitious and epic solos. Additionally, his arrangements also allow for moments of acoustic and synth embellishment.

While you can consider the three video singles attached to this review, I'll mention a few other tunes. For something more akin to power you'll find Dark Storm and The Darkness That Divides. Yet, the latter breaks things up with some softer vocal segues. Alternatively, Dust To Dust and Mind Games move upon a more steady metal groove. While Above It All rises like an inspirational anthem, Dreams And Destiny moves like a melodic metal power ballad. For some inspired guitar work, Choke Hold has a monster guitar solo, seemingly in three distinctive parts (or maybe that's my ears messing with my mind).

All in all, The Ferrymen's Iron Will is another solid and entertaining album of their signature guitar-driven melodic heavy metal rock thanks to fine songwriting and excellent musicianship from this talented trio. Easily recommended.



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The Take Away

The Ferrymen's Iron Will is another solid and entertaining album of their signature guitar-driven melodic heavy metal rock thanks to fine songwriting and excellent musicianship from this talented trio. Easily recommended.

Support the artist, click the link below to buy the album at Amazon (US site) in your favorite format.

Purchase The Ferrymen - Iron Will at Amazon
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