DRAGONLAND – The Power Of The Nightstar

Triumphant Return For Swedish Symphonic Metallers

After taking an 11 year hiatus, most bands would stand a chance of fading into oblivion. Fortunately for Sweden’s Symphonic Power Metal band Dragonland, they’ve hit back with an outstanding new release on AFM Records titled The Power Of The Nightstar. The long awaited follow-up to 2011’s Under The Grey Banner feels much more cinematic with it’s bigger melodies, bigger anthems, and a much bigger sounding production. The core members of the band remain constant with the return of keyboardist Elias Holmlid (Solar Surfer, ex-Disdain), bassist Anders Hammer (ex-Disdain, ex-Nightrage), vocalist Jonas Heidgert (Destiny, ex-Metal Monarchs) and guitarists Olof Mörck (Amaranthe, ex-Rapture) and Jesse Lindskog (ex-Isolated, ex-Recreated). Drummer Johan Nunez (Firewind, ex-Nightrage), who joined the fold in 2014 makes his recording debut with Dragonland.

Return To Power

The Power Of The Nightstar is the band’s longest and most elaborate album to date, showing a new maturity in their method of composing. “The overall approach is a bit more cinematic sound-wise than our earlier releases,” keyboardist Elias Holmlid explains, adding: “Compared to Under The Grey Banner, the new album features more electronic elements while retaining and refining the symphonic parts. Fans of Dragonland will definitely recognize the songwriting style, which we’ve taken to even more epic proportions this time around, with dense choirs and maximized production values.”

Lyrically, The Power Of The Nightstar is a concept album as Holmlid explains: “It’s entirely a sci-fi concept album, telling the story of a people astray, looking for a new home throughout a hostile universe. The song “A Threat from Beyond the Shadows” is written from the perspective of the antagonists, and “Final Hour” details the cataclysmic battle that the story ultimately leads into.”

Final Notes

This album packs a punch right out of the gates with this reviewer’s favorite tracks as the orchestral “The Awakening” crescendos into the almost Dream Theater sounding “A Light in the Dark”. The frantic “Flight From Destruction” showcases the excellent drumming of Johan Nunez, and of course the incredible keyboard playing of Elias Holmlid. As mentioned, the overall production is top notch, as are the musical performances by all. Overall, Dragonland – The Power Of The Nightstar is a great comeback album by one of Sweden’s top bands in the genre. A very worthy album for any Symphonic and Melodic Metal Heads. Check it out!

Lineup

Elias Holmlid – keyboards
Anders Hammer – bass
Jonas Heidgert – vocals
Olof Mörck – guitars
Jesse Lindskog – guitars
Johan Nunez – drums

The Power Of The Nightstar – Tracklist

01. The Awakening
02. A Light in the Dark
03. Flight from Destruction
04. Through Galaxies Endless
05. The Scattering of Darkness
06. A Threat from Beyond the Shadows
07. Aphelion
08. Celestial Squadron
09. Resurrecting an Ancient Technology
10. The Power of the Nightstar
11. Final Hour
12. Journey’s End
13. Oblivion