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Dragonland: The Power Of The Nightstar
Dragonland: The Power Of The Nightstar
Melodic/Symphonic/Power Metal
4.0/5.0
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AFM Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 14.10.2022 | Released: 14.10.2022
From the "Where Have They Been" file of bands missing in action, Sweden's Dragonland returns to the studio after an eleven year absence. The Power Of The Nightstar is their sixth studio album, and the first for (not-so-new) drummer Johan Nunez (Firewind, ex-Nightrage) who joined the band in 2014. It's also the first album not to continue The Dragonland Chronicles. But it is a concept album with a sci-fi theme: ... telling the story of a people astray, looking for a new home throughout a hostile universe.
Dragonland
As expected, the story is told in the Dragonland musical style: melodic and symphonic power metal with gallop and groove, orchestrated embellishment, synth and guitar solos, and melodic and choral vocal arrangements. I would not call Dragonland's style as grandiose as Rhapsody Of Fire, but The Power Of The Nightstar is still quite epic and bombastic with 13 tracks over 66 minutes.
This is experienced with A Threat Beyond The Shadows, A Light In The Dark, The Power Of The Nightstar, and the more smooth and anthemic, Journey's End. That that last song also features a vocal contribution from Amaranthe's Elize Ryd. Celestial Squadron is a shorter song yet with a notable rock groove wrapped in symphonic texture. There are two instrumental numbers: The Awakening at the start and Aphelion, a segue in the center. I was looking for a ballad. The closest song may be the final one, Oblivion, but more a somber concluding anthem.
Simply said, after an eleven year absence, The Power Of The Nightstar is a fine return to the studio for Sweden's Dragonland: classic, melodic and symphonic, power metal from one of the standard bearers of the genre. Recommended.
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The Take Away
Simply said, after an eleven year absence, The Power Of The Nightstar is a fine return to the studio for Sweden's Dragonland: classic, melodic and symphonic, power metal from one of the standard bearers of the genre. Recommended.
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