Have I got a recommendation for you. . .
Especially if you’re a fan of all or any of the following:
Vanden Plas, Blind Guardian, King Diamond/Mercyful Fate, Dimmu Borgir, Helloween, W.A.S.P., Testament, Savatage, Lizzy Borden, Pretty Maids.

The band is called Them - - more likely in tribute to the King Diamond album than to the 1954 giant ants movie. “Fear City” is their 2022 concept album, continuing the story of their first three releases, “Sweet Hollow” (2016), “Manor Of The Se7en Gables” (2018) and “Return To Hemmersmoor” (2020). The action here jumps forward in time from the 19th century to 1981, replete with skits and interludes with voice actors - - some hokey, some off-target stereotypes, many a little cringey. I do like the female radio DJ, who seems like a nod to the classic NYC gang movie, “The Warriors.” This album is a bit more of an eerie retro-Sci-Fi piece than the previous Them trilogy, which was much more of a straight up King Diamond-esque horror story.
Track 1 is “Excito,” which consists of news headlines from 1981, plus the reintroduction to lead character, KK Fossor. “Flight of the Concorde” is the first real song at track 2; it bursts out of your set, crackling with lightning. That verse melody is fresh and kinetic, completely undeniable. Track 4, “Retro 54” also snaps Metal fans’ attentions back with the opening lyrical shoutout, “If you’re feeling down, depressed, and lonely / I know a place where we can go.“ But the song is more than just a classic Iron Maiden nod; it’s also a Power Metal banger. Another highlight is the 9-minute track 9, “The Crossing Of Hellgate Bridge,” which works as a piece with the heavy mosher at track 10: “10-Death On The Downtown Metro.” I love the guitar work in 13: “The Deconsecrated House Of Sin.”
An uninitiated listener will wonder what the hell is going on, due to all of the audiodrama elements. To be honest, I feel like the story-telling components are often distractions. I appreciate that some of these skits are cordoned off on their own tracks. The thing about Them, though, is that beyond the dialogue and sound effects, they’re fastidious, meticulous songwriters; maestros of hooky riffs and vocal melodies. The tunes on “Fear City” and its predecessors are crafted with care and dedication, using only the choicest of riffs and melodies.
Them's sound is pretty firmly in the Power Metal slot, with some overlaps into Speed, Traditional, Prog, and touches of Thrash. They’re melody-focused at their core, but they often venture heavier than many melodic Metal bands will go.
I'm happy to declare that they exceed all expectations. "Fear City" is a good concept album with a compelling narrative. It starts strong and continues to its conclusion with a run of solid Metal tunes, getting heavier and heavier as it pushes to its climactic finish. I, for one, look forward to more KK Fossor stories.
Or at least, more great music from Them.