Back HOLY DRAGONS - Gotterdammerung (Twilight Of The Gods)
(Metalism Records~2003)

Holy Dragons deliver tasty power metal and hail from Alma-Ata city, Kazakhstan of all places on Earth. Even though, virtually unknown outside the CIS/Russian Federation, they are well known and respected in their part of the world. In fact, they have been around for a decade already and «Gotterdammerung» is their 6th album! This album is also my first encounter with their music and I have to admit I’m more than impressed already. First of all, let me warn all modern sympho-power fans: don’t get deceived by the name and fantasy cover artwork, as there is no happy flower metal inside. There are absolutely no keyboards on this album, nor high-pitched vocals, angelic-faced operatic females, or any other fancy things in that matter. All you will get here is solid slab of straight-in-your-face power metal with crunchy riffs, Maidenesque twin-guitar harmonies, elegant yet fiery solos, and vigorous, husky vocals. If I have to make a comparison I’d go with Iron Maiden meets Aria with some early to mid-era Blind Guardian, Rage and Grave Digger added in between. Vocals are sung in Russian (except on the bonus tune) and remind me of mix between huskier Valeriy Kipelov (ex-Aria, Kipelov) and Chris Boltendahl (Grave Digger). For those of you not familiar with Kipelov you can safely substitute him with Bruce Dickinson. Got the picture? Well, if not why don’t you buy the CD and see for yourself ;). All hails and cheers to Metalism records for picking up on this amazing band and making their albums available to the world – they are more than worth in my humble opinion!

StormSpell

http://www.metalgospel.org/Reviews/hdgotterdammerung.html