You know I often wonder to myself, “how can anyone dislike fantasy power metal?” Yes the cheese factor is higher than a family platter at the annual mouse of the year convention. But it just brings such epic joy. New release Viribus Unitis from Austria’s Dragony is a prime example of such epic fromage.
4 albums (and 1 EP) in now, and Dragony are sounding as glorious as ever. Straight from the opening intro track, a cut from The Blue Danube by Johan Strauss we know where we are. Setting us up for the epic journey that awaits. Fear not fair maidens. With the mighty force of Dragony by our side we shall prevail.
Viribus Unitis tells the tale of a time when Austria was ruled by the final member of the House of Habsburg; Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Sisi. Regaling the tales of old doth this concept album, but with a liberal use of rewriting said history. Think one part Lord of the Rings, one part Flashpoint Paradox – a truly excellent retelling of classic DC back stories you are compelled to now watch.
In this case, instead of Sisi’s son Joseph taking his own life, it is Sisi herself who is murdered. Joseph proceeds to turn to the ancient dark arts of witchcraft and general tomfoolery to be with her once more. On the release of said sorcery, Zombies and Cyberpunks join the merry brigade and a party we now have. A premier version of history if you ask me!
I am pleasantly surprised to see a power metal album come in at under 50 minutes (by a shade). Far too many come in at an hour or more. As much as I am a huge fan, it’s usually oversaturated by the hour point. Even mighty warriors can have too much of a good thing. Viribus Unitis however suffers no such issue. Just good old fire and brimstone in the form of a living parody of itself. Funny how fantasy power metal can be that way. Dragony never being one to take themselves too seriously.
A.E.I.O.U. features guest vocals from fellow Austrian power metal band Serenity’s frontman Georg Neuhauser. Galloping drums, pop undertones and the obligatory final chorus key change give off a heavy old school Sonata Arctica feel. Which got me nostalgic for the time before Sonata Arctica turned into a shit europop band. A rant for another day…
Dragony however, provide us with a big ol’ slice of fantasy power metal as pure as the White Gems of Lasgalen. There will always be a place in the world for such joy, and with the lingering after effects of 2020 still perilously coursing through our veins, profoundly welcomed.
Score: 7/10
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