Holy War

by

Dragonland

Edit

Dragonland's follow-up and sequel to the Battle of the Ivory Plains delivers just as much and more fast, melodic metal and powerful storytelling. If you heard Ivory Plains and enjoyed, you will definitely want to pick this one up. If you are a fan of power metal, this is also a must buy!

1. Hundred Years Have Passed - Like Ivory Plains, this album begins and ends with instrumental tracks like the opening and closing of an epic motion picture. This time, the track is one to build up your excitement, even without the presence of power chords and rapid solos. Mainly keyboards, atmospheric and solid.

2. Majesty Of The Mithrill Montains - Fast guitars/keyboards greet you, and the story begins now, "a hero will come."

3. Through Eleven Woods And Dwarven Mines - A great continuation of the story, this track begins with playful keyboards but soon breaks out with strong lyrics and rhythm. A strong song, but it gets better next! (Note on this song; I do laugh when the singer details "axe-wielding berzerkers" heh)

4. Holy War - Truly great. Cathedral keyboards and rhythmic guitars bring you into this epic tale of the Holy War of light against dark.

5. Calm Before The Storm - Classical guitar intro breaks into electric guitar in this slower track with a unique sound that prepares you for the coming storm...

6. The Return To The Ivory Plains - An epic intro brings you into this incredible song whose story is the epic battle of light versus dark on the battlefield, and this time the good guys win! Great song with many layers, music that is always strong, lyrics that tell the story but also become part of the musical menagerie.

7. Forever Walking Alone - A ballad, with piano-like keyboards and solemn, powerful lyrics. Like Ivory Plains' Last Farewell, at times the singer plays two parts. Great classical guitar in the middle, with a heavy guitar/drum ending.

8. Blazing Hate - A solid metal track with all the things that makes this band great, and this one leads the listener right into the incredible next song.

9. A Thousand Points Of Light - Perhaps poorly named given the historical speech by George Bush Sr., this is an incredible track with signature rhythms and epic vocal power that builds to a powerful conclusion.

10. One With All - The instrumental finale, keyboard driven, that gives a solemn ending to our story.

Don't pass this one up! Take a trip to Dragonland, you'll come back again and again.