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Artist: Mistheria |
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In the world of Progressive Metal and Power Metal the keyboardist is the main focus of the band and in many cases the founding member. Take the likes of Nightwish's Tuomas and Power Quest’s Steve Williams, two keyboard players who have taken the keyboards to new heights in there respective genres. Another name to add to the list is virtuoso ivory tickler Mistheria, who embarks on another stellar album in 'Dragon Fire'. But this isn’t just a keyboard album, Mistheria has gone a long way to produce songs that bring out the best in vocal melodies as well as the instrumental parts, and if you're going to have great songs then why not get some of the finest vocalist around to put their own stamp on things. What better line-up can you imagine than John West (Artension/Royal Hunt), Rob Rock (Impellitteri/Solo), Mark Boals (ex Malmsteen/Ring Of Fire/Royal Hunt), Lance King (Balance Of Power) and Titta Tani (ex Astra / Ashent), like I said a real A-list vocally, so with the vocal standard set so high, why not bring in the best guitarist's into the mix. So joining Mistheria are George Bellas (solo/Ring Of Fire), Neil Zaza (solo),Roger Staffelbach (Artension/Angel Of Eden) and Emir Hot. Well that’s quite a line-up so far you must agree, but what of bass and drums you ask? Well what about Alberto Rigoni (Twinspirits) on bass and the drums coming courtesy of John Macaluso. So
it's alright down on paper but does the album live up to the
expectations? You better believe it does! As Neo-classical, Progressive Rock goes this is one hell of a
statement album by Mistheria. Things get underway with the title track ‘Dragon Fire’ and almost
straight away you know this is going to be a real monster release as it's
straight into the heady mix of keys and bass lines, which are quickly
embroiled in a powerhouse drum beat courtesy of Macaluso. Then the fiery
guitar licks of take over before the vocals of West and Tani combine to
add the icing on this multi-layered Neo-classical Prog Metal cake. Things
continue in the same high standard with ‘Lies & Deception’, as
the track just explode with Macaluso and Rigoni getting things
underway joined by the uplifting guitars of Bellas. All this in the first 30
seconds before the powerhouse vocals of Rob Rock take things up to the next
level, as fans of Rock know he’s more that capable of. Things
don’t ease up one iota as the tremendous musical extravaganza
continues with ‘Killing The Pain’, this is where the Neo-classical
element rises above it all. Again West delivers on so many levels
vocally, such power and grace in such intense bundles that this has been one
of his finest vocals I’ve heard in a long time. It's
time for a little increase in tempo as Bellas unleashes a rapturous solo
at the beginning of the track, before Lance King takes up the mike and
the tempo settles down for what is one of the most melodic and haunting
tracks on the album that soars and dives from one moment to the next, a
real gem. Next
up it’s the two parter ‘Metal Opera’ Pt I A.D 1982' being a
haunting orchestral string instrumental that leads into 'Pt II – Eye Of
The Storm'. As the title depicts, a real slice of pure gold Prog Metal with
the titanic vocal of Mark Boals the driving force behind this one. It's
back to West to provide the vocals on the epic feel of ‘Now Is
Never’, a real metal infused piece of prog, but if you're in the mind of
the traditionalist in the Prog Metal field then ‘Fire & Flames’
is the one for you. We
have two instrumentals back to back, first up it's ‘Prelude 18 In F
min’ which is just 66 seconds of pure Mistheria, before we really get
into the Neo-classical mood again with the stunning ‘Chopin
Fantasy’, then it's back to the vocal tracks with the majestic ‘Power
Of One’. But track of the album for has to be rocked out Ivana Greguric
composition ‘The Beast’, a track purposely written for the album by
Greguric, this one is no nonsense Power Metal at it's very very best. This
tour de force release comes to a close with the gentle soundings of
‘The Beautiful Dream’, again Tani bringing the gentle melodies to
proceedings and a track that rounds off what can only be described as a MASTERPIECE! |
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Tracklisting: 1. Dragon Fire |
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