Gothenburg, Sweden is home to a multitude of metal bands – including female-fronted ones. We’ve already featured two here at Unleash the Furies: Amaranthe, and One Without. Both of these bands offer more extreme, grunt-heavy music. However, you’ll get something a little different from Ultimate Fate. Their music is equally as dynamic and powerful, but also lush and romantic.
Ultimate Fate formed in 2008 when former Violator bandmates Ola Olsson and Jacob Hede reunited with the goal of creating a more melodic style of metal. (Violator is a thrash metal band.) They also wanted a female vocalist for this project. It wasn’t long before they met Jennie Nord – and the sound of Ultimate Fate began to take shape. That sound is not exactly classically influenced symphonic metal, but more of a melodic heavy metal with a symphonic backdrop. In other words, Ultimate Fate seems to concentrate on getting the metal down first before adding the synth-strings. So, you’ll hear robust guitars and smooth rhythms, with the symphonics coming in at the right moments and only as necessary. Also, Jennie has a cool voice compared to most female symphonic metal singers. It’s a mid-range (contralto or alto, maybe?) voice that can be soft and tender, then reach the same wild heights that remind me of Kate Bush.
In April of this year, Ultimate Fate released a three-song EP called Beyond the Horizon. Each song has its own character, yet showcases that distinct Ultimate Fate sound. I was (and still am) particularly impressed by the chemistry I can hear and feel in the music. All of the instruments and elements seem to come together so naturally. I love it when a band can achieve this. It makes the music all the more exciting! If you’d like to know more about my thoughts on Beyond the Horizon, click here to read my review of the EP at Sonic Cathedral.
Below you’ll find a video that features Ultimate Fate’s song “Retribution,” the second track on Beyond the Horizon. If you go to Ultimate Fate’s ReverbNation page, however, you can listen to all three songs. I highly recommend “Beyond Fear” as your first listen. Ominous riffs, doomsday lyrics, two sets of male background vocals/growls, and Jennie’s sorceress-like commands… It’s like an apocalyptic movie scene unfolding over 5 minutes. And you won’t help but headbang along with it!
Currently, Ultimate Fate is working on songs for their first full-length album. Some live dates may be coming soon, too. So keep your eyes and ears open for this band!
Ultimate Fate are:
- Jennie Nord: Vocals
- Jacob Hede: Guitar
- Niklas Fahlén: Bass
- Ola Olsson: Drums
- Andreas Bergqvist: Keyboards
Check out Ultimate Fate now at their official website, Myspace, Facebook, and ReverbNation (link provided above).
~ Sara
