I had to put my sleuth hat on for this review. After scouring the web for some info on this band, who are they remains a bit of a mystery. If you’re a curious cat like me, you’ll find this most annoying. What I can tell you is Dragonknight are relatively new to the helms of Northern European Power Metal and Legion is their debut concept album. The five wraiths (wearing masks) are the Dark Lords, Lord Gryphon, Lord Kharatos, Lord Solarius, Lord Othrakis and Lord Salo Khan.
‘Through Sea and Fire’, a whimsical opener, ushering me to their voyage of grandeur. An uncertain adventure awaits, the symphony carrying us from splendor to a dark tumultuous sea and emerging through unchartered waters where hope and endless possibilities are the future. A conquest into their cinematic world of storytelling. I’m excited and ready for the next part of this adventure.
‘Legions of Immortal Dragon Lords’, our first taste of the human element within this mystical world. We hear one of the Dark Lords, not sure which one is on vocals. Sultry and refined, yet gravelly where it needs to be, I really want to see the face behind his mask. Whoever this magnificent creature is he comes across as no novice, his obviously polished vocal ability leaning toward a classical trained ear. There’s some layering of voices yet I am uncertain if it is the same voice or a blend of some of the other dark lords. An anthemic symphony of epic proportion. The fast pace gallop of the drum driving their voyage forward toward some chaotically masterful shredding and intricate guitar work from the Lords in question.
Third track in, ‘The Imperator’. The theme is made clear, pirate metal comes to mind but it is much more power-driven. There’s a little cheddar, adventure and cheesiness a welcomed match and with the necessary hookery brings about a sense of togetherness as the envisioned crew, swords drawn, await their commander’s charge to battle it out on deck. For one and for all, together forever. I get the sense that they’re crushing it, the unstoppable force that live and die by the sword! To follow their leader to the very end.
The rich and earthy vibrations of classical acoustic dance amongst a finely selected orchestral and percussive folk accompaniment, an inviting and cleverly concocted tale. The momentum builds, as the pace quickens with urgency that ‘Pirates Bloody Pirates!’ are present.
This album could easily be the next soundtrack to some masterful adventure movie production, from Pirates to Dragons. ‘Defender of Dragons’, the cinematic introduction alone in surround sound with the visual imagery to amplify its powerful ambience would create an amazing sensory experience to any viewer and whoever the mastermind was behind the main symphonic orchestration is evidently skilled in their composition and musical arrangements. ‘Storm Bringer’, the limelight shifts from instrument to instrument, the spirit of power metal lives within this song. ‘Astarte Rise’, entices us with some more of that beautiful acoustic work with the hauntingly mesmerizing violin weaving in and out amongst that ever seductive voice from Lord??? There’s a real organic feel to this album and this song in particular which is often lost in metal of our generation.
The light is dimming, hope has faded and there is darkness, only darkness in these first 20 seconds of ‘Dead Kings in the Grave’, then Bang back into the yearned for fast and enlivening tempo swaying us toward endless memorabilia and chug. I love that little melodic guitar line at 35 seconds.
‘Sword of the Northern Lights’, we are stripped bare from the orchestral introductions of some of the prior tracks, this in my opinion is without fault, hit full force by the power and strength behind this musicianship. Sometimes you just want to get into the song without all the lead up and ‘Revelation’ does the same but this time the Lord of the bass is leading us to meet its counterparts. Spirits are high and optimism is steadfast as fear is stripped away.
‘Return to Atlantis’, the end. A creed for the glory bound, they fought for no king, they fought like true gods, they navigated stormy waters and survived treachery. Clever little dark overtones throughout the triumphant anthem, we get that there made it but not unscathed.
The Lords have started out strong, I hope whatever they deliver next equates or supersedes this debut as this album is worth its weight in gold.
Dragonknight: Facebook
Release Year: 2025
Label: Scarlet Records
Category: Album
Country: Finland
Reviewed by GG Baf
