Year : 2013
Style : Melodic Heavy Metal , Melodic Power Metal
Country : Australia
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 97 mb
Bio:
DRAGONSCLAW was conceptualised in 2007 by guitarist, Ben Thomas and inspired by the epic compositions and raw technicality of bands such as Symphony X, Adagio and Kamelot. DRAGONSCLAW remained an idea until Thomas could find a line up of like-minded metal virtuosos to bring his compositions to life. During this time Ben built up a local reputation as an up and coming six-string shredder, playing guitar with Sydney thrash metal band, Paindivision. Thomas was also featured as a guest guitar soloist on the Empires of Eden albums, ‘Reborn In Fire’ and ‘Songs Of War And Vengeance’.New Zealand born vocalist, Giles Lavery, joined DRAGONSCLAW in 2010. He brings to DRAGONSCLAW an immense vocal range and a fine ear for catchy choruses and vocal melodies. Giles’s influences run deep in the ether of metal and hard rock music, from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Savatage, and Dokken to AOR groups such as Survivor, Journey and Foreigner. Lavery fronted New Zealand metal group, Bloodwych, through the late 90s and has recently performed with the Australian Ronnie James Dio Tribute Show. Giles’s faithful renditions of Dio classics along with his work with Dragonsclaw has lead to him being invited to sing on several local and international projects... He will perform with U.S. metal legends Warlord on their 2013 European dates including a headline performance at the legendary Keep It True festival, His vocals can also be heard on the track 'Kill Zone' from Warlord's new 'Holy Empire' album.Keyboardist, Ray Martens, has a long history in Australian rock and heavy metal having played in bands such as Paindivision, Shock Therapy, Scoundrel and Mr Scary. A reformed Mr Scary supported Danger Danger frontman, Ted Poley, on his 2010 Australian Tour. Martens has most recently been playing alongside Giles in the Australian Ronnie James Dio Tribute Show to packed venues and audience acclaim.The band is rounded out by Ben’s brother, Aaron Bryn Thomas, on bass and orchestration. Aaron recently graduated from the Australian Institute of Music, and runs Llewellyn studios where DRAGONSCLAW’s debut album ‘Prophecy’ was tracked.In late 2011, Dragonsclaw released their debut album, “Prophecy”, on Arkeyn Steel Records. The record has received unanimous praise from the global metal press; including a 5/5 star review at Metal-Rules.com. The review describes the album as “Imagine the perfect blend of the first two racer X albums and Priest’s PAINKILLER, mixed with old 80’s Queensryche. Sure to make many top 10 lists of the year.” Spirit-of-metal.com gave the album 19/20 and commented “These guys came out of nowhere and dropped a bomb of classic metal that will have you smiling and banging your head from track one until the end.” Dragonsclaw released a music video for the “Prophecy” track, “Darkness Within”.In March 2012, Dragonsclaw completed a tour of the East Coast of Australia supporting legendary metal vocalist, Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper, Onslaught, Lionsheart).December 2012 saw the band play in support of former Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley who was undertaking his first tour of Australia with fellow ex-Maiden vocalist PAUL DIANNO.
Album:
Before writing this review for Australian power metal band Dragonsclaw and their second release, ‘Judgement Day’, I went back over my review for their debut, ‘Prophecy’. At the time, I had never heard of the band, however after blasting ‘Prophecy’ time and time again, I felt that this band was sitting on something huge, which ultimately came out in leaps and bounds in my review of it.Across the board, ‘Prophecy’ was receiving outstanding reviews, both in official metal magazines and e-zines around the world. Truly it was an inspiring performance by all involved in Dragonsclaw, a relatively unknown band from out of Sydney. A lot has happened since the release of the debut, particularly for lead vocalist Giles Lavery. Aside from lending his powerful voice in guest spots on CDs including Indian band Blood & Iron and veteran L.A. metalers Warlord, it was the latter who invited Lavery to be their temporary lead vocalist for Warlord’s tour in Europe for the ‘Keep It True’ festival; a huge highlight in Lavery’s career in anyone’s language.Dragonsclaw also moved from Greek label Arkeyn Steel Records, to Killer Metal Records based in Germany, a decision that the band were all happy with. As for the piecing together of the new album ‘Judgement Day’, this time around it was a more balanced effort from all members in the band, however primarily spearheaded by Lavery and guitarist Ben Thomas.On the previous disc ‘Prophecy’, Dragonsclaw were able to gain the vocal talents of two high profile singers – Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever/ex-Eden’s Curse) and Blaze Bayley (Blaze Bayley/ex-Wolfsbane/ex-Iron Maiden). On the new release, the boys were again able to get in an international singer, that being David Reece (Malice/ex-Accept/ex-PowerWorld), who sings in a battle duet with Lavery on the opening track. The other guest musician on the new disc is Jack Starr (Jack Starr/Jack Starr’s Burning Starr/ex-Virgin Steele), who plays on the track “Battle Cry” (a tribute to late Riot guitarist Mark Reale).So, what can you expect from ‘Judgement Day’? Well I can say much more of what we heard on the debut album, ‘Prophecy’, meaning more excellent forging of traditional heavy metal with melodic power metal, with influences spaning from Riot to Warlord, to Judas Priest and everything else in between. Most tracks on ‘Judgement Day’ contains furious and thundering double bass, with swift, intricate and energetic guitar riffs via underrated axeman Ben Thomas. Lastly the impressive vocalist, Giles Lavery who can belt out the highest notes with powerful ease is again leading the charge of this kick ass CD. His range is utterly endless, while his delivery is second to none; so it’s no wonder that Warlord wanted his soaring and passionate vocals for their European tour a few months ago.Some of the better kick ass tracks on ‘Judgement Day’ include the powerful “Fly”, the sequel to “Defender of the Sky” from the previous disc. “Fly” contains soaring melodic vocals from Lavery, with blistering guitar riffs and pounding double bass. In the middle the track slows down for a sombre instrumental section, building up for what is to be an epic finale. “Battle Cry” is another all-out metal blitz, with furious guitar riffs, paying homage to metal veterans Riot. “Lucifer’s Hammer” is a slower track to the others already mentioned, but with explosive guitar riffs and I hear a Black Sabbath/Dio influence throughout. A few other tracks to raise a fist to include the title track “Judgement Day” and the pulsating “Bullet”.Overall, ‘Judgement Day’ is a nice progression from the previous album, with the band sticking with what they know best, with no mess and no fuss; just pounding out straight up melodic power metal/traditional heavy metal with a hint of that classic sound we know and love so well. The songs on the new album are again well written, quite creative but most importantly, it keeps the listener entertained (and constantly pulling out the air guitar as well).In comparison to the quality between ‘Judgement Day’ and the debut disc, this new one is right up there on par with ‘Prophecy’, which was indeed a wonderful effort for a debut; which means ‘Judgement Day’ is yet another excellent and cracking effort from Dragonsclaw. The Sydneysiders are quickly becoming one of the better Australian metal acts and easily stand alongside fellow top Aussie bands like Lord, Pegazus and Black Majesty.
Line Up:
Giles Lavery - Vocals (2010-present) - See also: Alcatrazz, Jack Starr, Warlord, ex-Heavenward (live), ex-Doomed Beast, ex-White Wizzard, ex-Metal Piranhas
Ben Thomas - Guitars (2010-present) - See also: Night Legion, ex-Paindivision, ex-Thundasteel
Aaron Thomas - Bass, Guitars, Orchestration (2011-present) - See also: ex-Kaamora
Alcides "Seed" Stowe - Drums (2010-present) - See also: ex-Friar Rush, Back to Funk, Baird Souls, Blusion Project, Gypsy Bangles, Lapis Sky, Rolling Stoned
Ray Martens - Keyboards (2010-present) - See also: ex-Paindivision, ex-Mr. Scary, ex-Scoundrel, ex-Shock Therapy
+ Guest / Session Musicians:
Jack Starr - Lead Guitars # 8
Joseph Matten - Drums
Natalie Whitton - Female Vocals # 5
George Antoniades - Programming
David Reece - Vocals # 1
Production:
Produced: Dragonsclaw
Engineered: George Antoniades
Mixed and Mastered: Dr. Makis Tselentis
Cover Art: Maggot Meister
Tracklist:
01. Watching My Every Move 05:19
02. Onset of War 01:49
03. Judgement Day 03:54
04. Bullet 04:08
05. Fear 04:44
06. Fly: Defenders of the Sky Part II 07:21
07. Lucifer's Hammer (Warlord cover) 03:53
08. Battle Cry 04:18
09. Eternally 05:44
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
