by:
Keith Menser
Beating from the Lands of Brazil comes the Dragon Heart, with it's power
pulsing metal roar. "Underdark" is this new groups debut issued on
Megahard Records (a label also from Brazil). With a mixed metal approach
they fly on the wings of driving power meets speeds metal. Heavy
influences aimed directly towards that of (early) Helloween and Manowar,
to the melodic hooks once introduced to the metal worlds from the mighty
Iron Maiden. One can also hear small elements of others metal kings from
song to song, but after a few listens you can get the point their simply
true metal fans playing true metal. By no means is this a bad thing and
this cd proves just that throughout the 9 songs it contains..
"Underdark" open's with a intro that any
metal head can do without and once heard I now find myself slipping over
that to dig into the Dragons metal. Once past the intro Dragon Heart
does jump into fire breathing power with "Arcadia Gates", a driving
double bass speed metal song that instantly makes you bang your head and
it also introduces a very good singer by the name of Eduardo Marques
(who also handles guitar duties as well). Keeping his voice more in the
mid range and lightly moving into other ranges from time to time. This
song has the hooks from both the fine guitar harmonies and big catchy
chorus. The Maiden influences jump out in a big way with "Battlefield
Requiem" in all sense of the song and kind of reminds me of the
post-Dickinson releases with Blaze Baily. But I will say I bet even this
guy could have done a much better job standing in for Bruce's solo
stance. The guitar work holds down that Maiden tone, and they even add
in a little thrash section into the break for flavor.
Then right back into the more early
Helloween style driving metal that slows just a little for the catchy
hooking chorus lines. I think these guys will appeal to the European
metal scene, especially with it's epic elements and speed metal
approach. One can't help to think the guitarists must be huge Maiden
fans with their ability to perform in such a manner, but they do balance
it off.
But I must say Dragon Heart has alot to offer to the pure metal fans and
they seem to want to blend a few other past NWOBHM influences into their
writing spectrum. 'Tied In Time" really contains a good mood and again
these boys are great at creating the big sing-along chorus that stick in
one's mind. The kind that by the second repeated chorus you find
yourself singing along as if you've known the tune for sometime. A sound
very familiar, but also a sound very needed in todays trendy music
world. Dragon Heart is standing on the proud era of heavy metal and for
a debut "Underdark" I believe this group could really become a force to
be reckoned with. The musicianship is there without question and the
approach is an attempt in the right direction. The overall production of
the cd is also very good for a new indie artist.
The melodic singing lines in the balled
"Sir Lockdunam" really sets the place for the song, which evolves into a
very nice composition layered with perfectly placed back-up lines over
acoustic guitars and other various instruments. Back to the trashy side
of the Dragon within the title cut "Underdark". Musically the song pulls
me back into the late 80's, while the clean power metal vocals stands as
center point with heavy lines and the grand chorus continue on...
Drummer Marcelo Caporasso has some relentless feet and keeps his kicks
moving throughout this cd to really shine out, as the stringed musicians
throw down a variety of crunchy and melodic patterns. "New Millenium",
"Mist of Avalon" and "Gods of Ice" closes the record in great metal
fashion and it leaves me looking forward to the Dragon Hearts second
breath of flaming metal fury. In past years Brazil has been offering
many fine metal acts into the world of metal and I think it's safe to
say we yet have another one in Dragon Heart.
© 2003, BBHrdRpt
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