The Fierce And The Dead - Regional Theatre - Progressive Voyages Review
This is the fidth studio album from the Northampton based band, Although there have been a plethora of live albums this new albums comes three years after Bassist KEVIN feasey stepped up yo perform v9cals on 2023's News From The InvIvisible World, He reprise that role again for this album and his vocals bring a fresh life to the music once again.
The Fierce And The Dead are really pushing forward on this album, innthat it has play written by the band that accompanies the album, it is a very imaginative set up,
The Album has 10 tracks and last for about 39 minutes in all, The soung is familiar for those who know the band Howevercthe addition of vocals changes the dynamics somehow, Almost as if this new stage has been on the horizon for a while but is only just beginning to makes its presence known.
The album commences with Loungeside, Which has a very meaty opening salvo of riffery and a subtle yet compelling bass line, The track is full of tension as if it is caged awaiting release, Which happens at the 1.55 mark when it breaks free, I really like how this sounds its almost thrash metal like, All very powerfully delivered with intensity. Although melody is never far away,
Next trackmis The 1234 that was the single that preceeded the albums release, it is a sprightly track with a great chorus of Give, Take, Fade, Escape. I Really like this bounce of the song it sounds utterly fantastic the brief guitar solomfrom Matt Stevens ends 5hecsong on a strong note too.
Then we have the belting Shake Hands And Exit, This is another terrific song with another strong chorus, Sonthat three fir three winning tracks thus far,
I actually really respect how the band have embraced changes that have moved them forwards with the addition of vocals from Kev Feasey, progressing from the earlier instrumental sound to a different sound but the change has happened organically and because they saw the need to progress in order to develop their creative needs a true progressive Journey as it were.
Somehow is next and don't you know but this is another cracking track, 9ne 5hat has touches of the 80’s in its sound, it sounds glorious, it reallyn8s very f8ne indeed, I really like this track.
Hey Nightmare is next this is a shortervtrack but one that also sounds great, with a strong upfront bass and energetic drums from Stuart Marshall
Next is Superbia this is another interesting track with loads of strong guitar work and another great chorus line, I am really enjoying this album it has a lot to commend it, 5he s9ngs ate fantastic 5hevmus8c is never less than interesting and is often far more the overall sound is very cohesive and strong. I like how they interchange between hardercant more gentle sounds oftenn8nnthe same track as they do here. Simply fabulous stuff.
Dream Sequence followsxand after some powerful guitar riffs it settles down to being a little less aggressive and a spacey synth sound accompaniescthe bass before hard guitar interjections return for the chorus.there is plenty of room is this atmospheric tracks that towards its conclusion gather in bothnpacecand intensity to fine effect.
Thrash is next this is a pulsating groove laden track, lots of chiming guitar fills appear herein, alongside an almost dreamy chorus that isn't Thrash in any manner it does have drive to it though and some great guitar lines throughout.
Hypernormalisation is next this is bit harder initially, with great guitar dynamics and sound, I like how this sounds, This song has interesting lyrics and a great guitar solonfrom Matt Stevens, a has a lot of power in its sound, I like it a lot.
F8nal track is Signal Bleed this has a downbeat sparse sound to it all very wide open and with plenty of room for everyone to shine equally, which of course they all do the keyboards from Tom Hunt return once again and add much go the overall sound the band make. One thing is for sure that this is thevf8nest Fierce and The Dead album thus far, It shows the band are ready to take the next steps in their quest for world domination, the tiur supporting this album promises to be something rather special Miss it at your peril!
I heartily recommend this fabulous little album of great songs and performances
Info here: Regional Theatre | The Fierce And The Dead https://share.google/b0tQc1PvJnkU5gcMH
Author John Wenlock-Smith Sunday 20th September 2026.