FATE’S FRONTIER – Mercy Fading (E.P. Review)

A Twist of Fate

The multi-national band Fate’s Frontier isn’t your traditional rock band. They collaborate with each other from across the world. Founder and guitarist Joshua Rhines recruited fellow Montana native Dan Molgaard, embarking on a mission to continue playing the rock and metal music they love. They found the voice they had been looking for with Californian Chris Hodges. In Portugal, they discovered Hugo Ribeiro on the drums and Argentina-based Marco Gnoatto completed the core group as keyboardist.

FATE’S FRONTIER – Mercy Fading

The record is a diverse meander through the rock landscapes of prog, metal and symphonic.  It is evocative and esoteric and grabs the listener with a mugger’s grip.  I have taken many moments of the current lockdown to intently listen to great new music and Mercy Fading has figured highly in my playlists.

The sound is modern, with a drum sound that is punchy but not overreaching.  Bombast is available, but not to the extent that it makes the record uneven.  There are five songs on the E.P., with the best being served up first with the title track.  The bass playing is superb and provides a blueprint for the whole of the record.  The groove is strong and the musicianship is a rare treat in a world that increasingly seems to be reliant upon computers to make sound.

Chris Hodges sings like a mutant mixture of Geoff Tate, Steven Tyler and John Corabi.  He owns this collection and his top tracks include the trip-fest of “Seeing Red” and the sleazy dance of “Dizzy Now“.

Final Frontier?

I actually mistook this record for a more prog metal collection, but the more I listen, the more it seems like groove-based rock.  However you badge it, the songs are strong and the band are top-notch performers.  Hopefully, Fate’s Frontier continues to make quality music in this crazy world.

BUY: AMAZON.com / AMAZON.co.uk

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Coxy

Also, find more of my CGCM reviews here: Coxy

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