DRAGONY – Hic Svnt Dracones

Austrian symphonic metal band Dragony is back with their fifth studio effort on Steamhammer/SPV Records titled Hic Svnt Dracones, which translates to “here be dragons”. The new album is set for release on October 11th, and continues in the band’s tradition of storytelling through the power/symphonic metal medium. Dragony has made a lineup change since the previous album Viribus Unitis, with new members Mat Plekhanov on guitar, and Christoph Auckenthaler on the drums.

The “Lost Colony” of Roanoke

The album sets out to tell the story of the “lost colony” of Roanoke in what is now North Carolina.  The track “Dragon Of The Sea (Sic Parvis Magna)” tells a version of the story:

We were strangers in a strange land
So foreign, wild and free
Looking for a life that was not meant to be
Stranded on this island
Can’t go forward, can’t go back
Time is running short and shorter
Soon the natives will attack

With our hopes all gone and shattered
We had nothing left to lose
Fly, Golden Hind
Bring us the bane of the armada
Rise to the fight
He is the dragon of the sea

While the first portion of lyrics definitely refers to the “lost colony”, they switch for their chorus to singing about Sir Francis Drake, and his voyage to circumnavigate the globe in 1577. It’s always good to remember that while bands love to incorporate history into their music, it’s just powerful rhymes and catchy verses that really matter, and not historical accuracy.

The album also has songs based on Norse mythology like the song “Across a Rainbow Bridge”:

When the thunder calls for his vengeance
In the Midgard serpent scorn
And the time has now come for repentance
Thunder! Lightning! Rocking this Ragnarok!

What would a power metal album be without a good Viking song to sing along with?

Production

Dragony – Hic Svnt Dracones was mixed and mastered by genre great Jacob
Hansen (Amaranthe, Epica), and he has a great ear for power metal. The guitars are blistering. The drum mix is about as perfect as you can hope for. Vocal production is huge, with every chorus being an anthem. Hansen is the perfect choice for this kind of album, and has done an exceptional job here.

Originality

A concept album based on the “lost colony” of Roanoke is pretty original, while songs about the Norse gods has certainly been done many times. Dragony does a good job at keeping their songs interesting, while bringing us enough familiar themes, lyrical as well as musical to keep fans coming back for more.

Final Notes

Dragony – Hic Svnt Dracones hits on all of the notes one would expect from them. From the orchestral opening, to the driving power metal with rapid fire double bass drums, Dragony does justice to their concept album and genre. While some of the lyrics can get a bit cheesy at times, it doesn’t detract from the overall effect the band was going for. If symphonic power metal is your thing, then Dragony have a pretty decent album for you, that’s more than worth checking out.

Lineup

• Siegfried Samer – Vocals
• Mat Plekhanov – Guitars
• Simon Saito – Guitars
• Herbert Glos – Bass
• Manuel Hartleb – Keys
• Christoph Auckenthaler – Drums

Hic Svnt Dracones – Tracklist

1. From The New World (1584)
2. Dreamchasers
3. Silver & Blood
4. Dragon Of The Sea (Sic Parvis Magna)
5. Ill Met By Moonlight
6. Perfect Storm
7. Hic Svnt Dracones (Here Be Dragons)
8. The World Serpent
9. The Einherjar (What Dreams May Come)
10. Twilight Of The Gods
11. Beyond The Rainbow Bridge
12. The Untold Story (Albion Online) (bonustrack)

Check out the new video for “Dragon of the Sea” by Dragony off of their new album: Hic Svnt Dracones.