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Archon Angel: II

Heavy Power Metal

4.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.04.2023 | Released: 14.04.2023

Appearing in 2020 with their debut album, Fallen, Archon Angel is the collaboration of vocalist Zak Stevens (Circle II Circle, Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) and Italian guitarist and producer Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere, Edge Of Forever). The latter was a huge fan of the former's work on early Savatage albums. The duo's association began with their work on Timo Tolkki's Avalon's 2019 album Return To Eden.

Archon Angel's Zak Stevens

With the two primary players in mind, the emphasis of an Archon Angel song is the vocal arrangements and guitar work. Stevens is a classic metal singer who brings a melodic and clean baritone voice, with plenty of drama, to the music. Lonobile is both a riff master and a stellar fret-ripping soloist. He also brings significant songwriting and production credits to the table. Wherein the substance of the songs mix melodic, heavy, and power metal elements for a heavy, often bombastic, sound. The addition of synths and orchestration add another layer making the songs dense and expansive.

Considering some songs, I found it quite interesting that II starts with Wake Of Emphasis, a song that clearly puts emphasis on Stevens' vocal presence and style. Musically, the song is rather slow, foreboding, even plodding, and not necessarily a favorite. But that's not the point. The listener is introduced to Stevens (or reintroduced if they've missed his prior work). After this, songs turn to the aforementioned dense and layered heavy power metal with Avenging The Dragon, Bullet Proof, and I Return, to mention a few. Alternatively, a song like Quicksand turns more upon gallop and rock groove. Fortress is similar with its underlying rock groove but turns more upon harmonic riffs and a quite catchy refrain. For this listener, this was my pick of the litter for best song.

All in all, Archon Angel's II featuring Zak Stevens and Aldo Lonobile is fine and appropriated successor to their debut: solid melodic heavy power metal with strong vocal and guitar performances from both artists. Recommended.

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Archon Angel's II featuring Zak Stevens and Aldo Lonobile is fine and appropriated successor to their debut: solid melodic heavy power metal with strong vocal and guitar performances from both artists. Recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]

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