DRAGONY – Viribus Unitis

Glory Metal

Austrian veteran metallers Dragony release their 4th studio album on Napalm Records titled Viribus Unitis. Named after the official motto of Austrian Emperor Franz Josef, Viribus Unitis marks both a comeback to musical roots as well as the next step into the future for Dragony, as the band returns to a “rock opera concept” similar to their debut effort Legends. The band features Siegfried “The Dragonslayer” Samer (ex-Eleftheria, ex-Visions of Atlantis) on lead vocals with Simon Saito and Andreas Poppernitsch (Omega Effect) on guitars, Manuel Hartleb on keyboards, Herbert Glos (Visions of Atlantis) on the bass and Frederic Brünner (Planewalker, ex-Siren’s Cry, ex-Satory) on the drums.

Demons, Zombies and Cyberpunk Josef

Viribus Unitis contains 12 tracks coming in at just over 49 minutes of grand, anthemic melodies over a Hard Rock base. The concept of the album is deeply intertwined with the history of Austria and in particular with the end of the Habsburg monarchy, which has often been romanticized. The story of Viribus Unitis presents a very fantastical, alternate timeline of these events, involving magic, crazy science, a demonically possessed Empress Sisi, zombie armies and of course: Cyberpunk Joseph.

Top Tracks

The album opens with a version of “On the Blue Danube” by Strauss as an intro to the single, and high-energy tune “Gods of War”. With rapid double-kick drums and power metal guitars leading the march on “Gods of War”, the band delivers solid performances. “Love You to Death” starts off sounding like a battle hymn that quickly develops into a 6/8 metal dirge with more big melodies and anthemic, sing along choruses. This reviewer’s favorite track is the album ender and bonus track titled “Haben Sie Wien Schon Bei Nacht Gesehn” which has a uniqueness and feel that makes it a stand out.

Final Notes

The album is well produced and performed, though some of the song structures feel a bit basic and generic. The musicianship is top notch, giving the basic structure a well defined “icing on the cake” that makes for a solid effort overall. Viribus Unitis does fall into the Melodic Metal category, though the emphasis should be on melodic as opposed to metal which seems a bit on the light side. All in all Viribus Unitis does offer fans of Symphonic and Melodic Metal a good concept record, and an album that is worth adding to the collection.

Lineup

Herbert Glos – Bass
Frederic Brünner – Drums
Andreas Poppernitsch – Guitars
Siegfried “The Dragonslayer” Samer – Vocals
Simon Saito – Guitars
Manuel Hartleb – Keyboards

Viribus Unitis – Tracklist

1. On the Blue Danube
2. Gods of War
3. Love You to Death
4. Magic
5. Darkness Within
6. A.E.I.O.U. (feat. Georg Neuhauser)
7. Viribus Unitis
8. Golden Dawn
10. Battle Royale
11. Legends Never Die
12. Haben Sie Wien Schon Bei Nacht Gesehn (Bonus Track)