• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Holy Dragons Batman! Looks like we've got another generic European power metal band up to its no good again! Well not quite. First of all, Holy Dragons hail from the former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan. I never knew metal existed over there, let alone of competent quality.

Holy Dragons are not a generic power metal band either. Their focus is more on speed metal, of the Blind Guardian variety, and play unbelievably tight music. They've been around for quite a while and "Gotterdammerung" is actually their 6th full length album. I can't say that this is the best music I've heard, but it sure beats the hell out of a lot of the other power metal acts out there.

This is great music actually, as most of the songs are memorable. And this is not because of any one particular department, but as a whole. Here is a real band that plays as a band and demands perfection in every note and ends up with flawless musicianship and co-ordination. The solos on here really slay! Fast solo enthusiasts will really dig this stuff. "Heavy Metal Maniac" features an absolutely mind-blowing solo! I don't believe both the guitarists can actually play so tight and in co-ordination at those speeds in a live setting. But who knows…I didn't believe there was metal in Kazakhstan after all! The vocals are also fast and melodic but don't really hit the shrieking, girly levels that power metal is often associated with. He actually sounds like the vocalist from Grave Digger. Imagine him singing really fast, and in Russian. Sounds pretty cool!

And now for my little complaint: The same vocal melody is repeated in a couple of tracks throughout the album. Anyway, this is a very talented band playing some awesome speed metal. Definitely worth the check.