• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

The Power of the Nightstar is the sixth studio album from Sweden's Dragonland, a band that most power metal fans should be aware of by now as they are one of the most consistent acts working in that subgenre. It's clear from the moment the instrumental spoken word/intro piece is over and "A Light in the Dark" begins, this is going to be a familiar-sounding album to anyone that's heard their previous works but don't mistake that as a criticism. When a style has been around for as long as power metal has, making a good record can be accomplished in a couple of ways; do something no one has heard before that also works within the confines of the style, or stick to convention but make a great example of it. The Power of the Nightstar falls in the latter camp, meaning you have speed, melody, and catchy hooks in abundance wrapped up in smart, engaging songwriting and a storyline that grabs you. Whether it is the fast numbers ("Flight from Destruction," "Final Hour"), anthemic songs ("The Scattering Darkness," "Celestial Squadron") or the ballad ("Through Galaxies Endless"), the guys in Dragonland show they know exactly what elements need to be present to make sure anyone that listens is going to be singing along by the second chorus of every cut. Every bit as good as its predecessor, 2011's Under the Grey Banner (has it really been 11 years?), The Power of the Nightstar is representative of a band at the top of its game and an album every fan of fantasy, or in this case science-fiction, power metal will want to own.