Dawn of the Dragonstar
A banjo inside a fast power-metal song is a small but telling detail on Dawn of the Dragonstar. Twilight Force pack Thundersword with enough music to find room for that unexpected colour alongside guitars, drums and orchestration. The band build their fantasy world through sound. You can understand the appeal of that enthusiasm without following every story about dragons.
Alessandro Conti makes his first album with the group here. His voice suits the quick, heavily decorated music, but he uses the highest notes with a little more control. That leaves room for the playing around him. The title track starts with a threatening introduction before moving into its fast attack, without immediately losing the distinction between its many layers. The technical execution is remarkably careful.
With the Light of a Thousand Suns shows what those expanded arrangements can add. The orchestration takes a role of its own, while a passage with Spanish guitar influences supplies an unexpected turn. The long closing track, Blade of Immortal Steel, lets Twilight Force think on an even bigger scale. Its many changes and melodies make a suitable highlight for a band who clearly enjoy excess.
That enjoyment does not stay equally fresh throughout the album. Many songs follow similar routes, with high vocals, fast backing and another bright chorus. Their differences can disappear behind the shared approach. However capable the performances, more variety would have helped the strongest ideas stand out.
Dawn of the Dragonstar knows its audience. Fans of richly arranged power metal receive strong singing, lively orchestration and plenty of melody. There is limited interest in changing the formula, but the best moments combine skill and cheerful commitment well enough to pull you into the music.
