DRAGONNE – On My Back

DRAGONNE – On My Back
Label(s):
No Remorse Records
Released Year:
2023
Type:
Full-length
Tracklist:
1. Ride the Lightning2. The World Today3. Running Wild4. Dance of Death5. Be With You Again6. Soldier Boy7. Goodbye8. Affair of the Heart9. That's How It Goes10. Dream Is Over11. Knac Radio Spot

After the very good β€œOn Dragons Wings” EP in 1988, DRAGONNE from Los Angeles started recording the second album, which was never completed, under the working title “On My Back“. The album is now released for the first time and it is a good chance to see how the band evolved after its debut EP.

It is evident that the sound has changed toward a heavier and less melodic direction, compared to the EP. There are songs that move close to the glam/sleaze kind of metal style of that era,Β  a couple of songs (such as β€œDance of Death”) that bring in mind METALLICA and some other tracks (“Ride the Lightning” for example which is pretty good) that soundΒ  like a mixture of the two styles – or a soft version of METALLICA if you’d like. It seems that the band did not know what style to follow and perhaps that was the reason for the split-up.

On the other hand, there are some tracks such as β€œSoldier Boy” or β€œAffair of the Heart” where the band remembers its melodic side and the days of the EP, and these songs show the real potential and quality of the band. Very nice songs, full of easy-listening melodies with catchy choruses, and it’s truly a shame that the band did not record more songs in that style.

Overall, the unreleased album of DRAGONNE has some really good songs, but it is mostly addressed to the glam/sleaze metal audience, and not the fans of classic US power/heavy metal like the EP of the band did. Nevertheless, DRAGONNE is a band that is definitely worth being discovered, especially by those interested in the underground US metal scene of the 80s.

Forgotten Scroll Fanzing Issue #6

Issue #6 Out Now

76 pages, 10 interviews. DAMASCUS (US) SANCTUM (US) HORIZON'S END (GR) LORD OF LIGHT (SWE) ETERNAL CHAMPION (US) GOTHIC STONE (IT) LEVIATHAN (US) NEAR INFINITY (US) ANGEL EDGE (US) OBLIVION KNIGHT (US) plus LEGIONED MARCHER (US)...

Follow Us

1,346FansLike
21FollowersFollow

NOVA SKELLIS – Life Amongst The Damned (Vinyl Reissue 2024)

What we deal with in NOVA SKELLIS’ case, is the chance of exploring the transcontinental fusion of almost any kind of heavy/power metal blend;...

WARLORD: The legend of William J Tsamis lives – Interview and...

To tell you the truth I was a little bit skeptical when I first learned about the Warlord tribute project set by drummer and founding member Mark Zonder and singer Giles Lavery to honor the music and memory of founder guitarist William J Tsamis who unfortunately passed away back in 2021. I was looking at the facts very closely, reading announcements about forthcoming live shows, new line up and a new album. The response from the fans was massive including both positive and negative (or very negative) comments about the above facts. "How can Warlord exist without Bill Tsamis?", they were asking. One afternoon I got a call from Giles Lavery himself asking me if I wanted to do an advance review of the forthcoming Warlord album. I replied positively still being in this skeptical mood. It all went away after the first listen... William J Tsamis was there. His music, his legend, his compositions, evolved into complete songs. In total excitement I texted Giles a single message "Bill is alive". The very next evening found Mark, Giles and I talking about the album, about Bill, about the music and the legacy. It was late at night when we ended the call. I asked them if I can publish our conversation and they got no problem. So here it is again: Me talking with Warlord. The usual stuff I am doing the last 25 years for various reasons. But this time I would not call this conversation an interview. To my eyes this is a big ethical, artistic and soulful statement, by some people who want to keep the Dream, alive.