7/11/05

DRAGONLORD / BLACK WINGS OF DESTINY

Just a little over 4 years ago I reviewed the first release by this band that features Eric Peterson form Testament and was totally knocked out by how good it was and I am pleased to say this 2^nd release is just as good.

This is nothing like Testament its Symphonic Black Metal at it’s best and I don’t think Testament have had a new album out in the interim so why it has took Eric so long I don’t know but its well worth the wait. Sounding not too dissimilar to Dimmu Borigr with a touch of Cradle Of Filth thrown into the cauldron for good measure al the songs are truly superb. The guitar work is what fans will be waiting to hear and as you would expect the playing is copious, flawless and inventive throughout but it doesn’t dominate so much that it distracts from the songs themselves, as so often happens with guitar virtuoso’s efforts. The moody and magnificent "The Curse Of Woe" echoes both of the aforementioned bands and dark and broodingly magnificent "Sins Of Allegiance" is total class.

As I said in the review of the first CD if he decides to make this a full time effort some major bands would be very worried, best tracks: "Curse Of Woe", "Sins Of Allegiance"Mark Of Damnation" and "Revelations". The is also a very good version of the Thin Lizzy song "Emerald" that doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the album but if it gets them noticed it will at least draw peoples attention to a good CD.