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April 2024

• Vanden Plas: The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
• Praying Mantis: Defiance
• King Zebra: Between The Shadows
• About Us: Take A Piece
• Blue Oyster Cult: Ghost Stories

March 2024

• Cruzh: The Jungle Revolution
• Whom Gods Destroy: Insanium
• The Prog Collective: Dark Encounters
• Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity
• Lipz: Changing The Melody
• The End Machine: The Quantum Phase
• Stargate: Escaping The Illusion
• Turbulence: Binary Dream
• Sonata Arctica: Clear Cold Beyond
• D'Luna: Monster
• Big Big Train: The Likes Of Us
• Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help

February 2024

• Traveler: Prequel To Madness
• Lionheart: The Grace Of A Dragonfly
• Honeymoon Suite: Alive
• Durbin: Screaming Steel
• Smoking Snakes: Danger Zone
• Revolution Saints: Against The Winds
• Striker: Ultrapower
• Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun
• Robert Hart: Circus Life

January 2024

• Corvus: Immortals
• Caligula's Horse: Charcoal Grace
• Grand: Second To None
• Neal Morse: The Restoration - Joseph - Part Two
• The Rods: Rattle The Cage
• Gotus: Gotus
• Metalite: Expedition One
• Cobrakill: Serpent's Kiss
• Jack Russell & Tracii Guns: Medusa
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 1
• The Grandmaster: Black Sun

[ More Music Reviews ]

Dragonlore: Lucifer's Descent

Traditional Heavy Metal

4.0/5.0

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Iron Shield Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 10.01.2020 | Released: 17.01.2020

Information about Dragonlore is more than a little sketchy. This much I have deduced. Dragonlore is an American (perhaps from Michigan) traditional heavy metal band. Which makes the band something of an oxymoron. Classic heavy metal doesn't exactly thrive in the United States anymore. Also, the band features journeyman vocalist Joe Dawson, known for his work with Mutinys Fold, ScreamKing, and Wrath Of Wolves, all obscure underground American metal bands. Dragonlore drops their debut long-player, Lucifer's Descent for Germany's Iron Shield Records, well known for their commitment to keep it true heavy metal.

Dragonlore

Naming the usual suspects, like Maiden, Priest, Metal Church, King Diamond, as influences, Dragonlore plays basic twin guitar driven classic heavy metal. The same features twin guitar harmony, fiery guitar solos, gallop and groove from the rhythm section, and Dawson's high pitched, often screamo vocals. When somebody asked, Can you sing more of the rails than Rob Halford? Joe Dawson came running. Between the crisp riffage and Dawson's nails on the chalkboard vocal style, Dragonlore's metal has acidic and sharp timbre. I can honestly say I loved the classic metal, especially the terrific guitar solos, but after three or five songs, I grew weary of Dawson's voice. Exceptions might include Saved By Love or parts of At The Mercy Of Kings. Perhaps I will acquire a taste for his rangy vocal style, but that assumes I'll be listening to this album a third time. So what's my summation? Dragonlore offers well-crafted, keep it true, heavy metal with terrific guitar work, but with a vocal style I found wearisome. You want honesty? You got it.

Luca Sellitto: The Voice Within

Neo-Classical Power Metal

3.5/5.0

Taking a break from his band Stamina, guitarist Luca Sellitto arrives with his first solo album, The Voice Within, on the Pride & Joy Music label. The album features several ... [ Read More ]

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Dragonlore offers well-crafted, keep it true, heavy metal with terrific guitar work, but with a vocal style I found wearisome. Want honesty? You got it.

Alphabetical Index

Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]