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Derdian: Revolution Era
Derdian Revolution Era CD Album Review

Derdian: Revolution Era

Symphonic Power Metal
No Score

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Unsigned / Self-released
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 25.05.2016

Bands, especially those in Europe, do this routinely. I guess it's what you do when the creative musical well is empty. You release a greatest hits album or, more likely, re-arranged and re-record a selection of songs and, maybe just maybe, throw in a new song or two. Yep. That's the case with Derdian's Revolution Era. Calling this a "new" album is a mildly deceptive suggestion.

Derdian Revolution Era Band Photo

Derdian

As the title suggests, the gathered what they're calling the "greatest hits" from the first three albums, the New Era trilogy, then re-arranged and re-recorded them. The first and most obvious question is, How did they determine that these songs were the fans' favorite? Beats me. Now, to be fair there is something new to this album. Because their most recent vocalist Ivan Giannini has departed band, for the ubiquitous and nebulous "musical and organizational differences," Derdian has recorded these songs with a bevy quite famous vocalists. It's a notable "who's who" from the European and Italian metal realm. The short list includes Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), D.C. Cooper (Royal Hunt), Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire, Angra), Apollo Papathanasio (Ex-Firewind, Evil Masquerade), and Terence Holler (Eldritch). You can learn more on their website or Facebook page. Also new is one song Lord Of War which features none other than Fabio Lione on vocals.

Suffice to say that Revolution Era is a mountain full of Derdian's bombastic and outrageous symphonic power metal. If you dig that, you will like this album. If you've never listened to Derdian, this album would be a fine introduction to them and their back catalogue. And if you're a fan, and know these songs quite well, you may be curious as to how these songs sound with different vocalists. If so, you should probably buy the album. Me? I've never heard any New Era album, so I can't say if these re-recordings are better or worse. Honestly, Derdian sounds like listening to another Rhapsody Of Fire clone. They are from Italy after all.

Derdian - Lord Of War (Official Lyric Video feat. Fabio Lione)


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The Bottom Line

Revolution Era is a so-called "greatest hits" of Derdian's bombastic and outrageous symphonic power metal from the New Era back catalog, merely re-arranged and re-recorded with guest vocalists (as their most recent vocalist has departed), with the addition of one new song.

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