It’s been another particularly strong year for metal bands touring Australia and Dragonland’s visit down under was extra special, considering how rare their live performances are. With 3 shows in Japan and then the last of a 4 show Aussie run, amazingly, this is Dragonland’s longest “tour” in the Swedish natives 20 odd year history.
Arriving in time as Sydney-siders Darker Half took to the stage, their set kicked off with energetic prancing from fill in guitarist Danny Ritz and bassist Simon Hamilton. Lead singer and guitarist Vo Simpson did his best to convince us that Aliens Exist, whilst Heavens Falling was a set standout. New track Bittersweet Caress gave a sign of things to come from the bands first album release since 2014. A short and sweet set that warmed up the ears of the crowd.
Melbourne’s Eyefear were up next, who’s live performances have been few and far between in recent years, with a change of lead singers being a large part of this reason. A set which featured mostly new material, some of which still untitled, this was tonight’s hooded vocalist Riccardo Meccis only 3rd or 4th gig with the band. With a new album on the way, the new stracks herald the next chapter in Eyefears 20+ year history of moody symphonic metal. Closing with older track Abandon, it drew out the die-hard Eyefear fans in the room.
Black Majesty have long been one of my favourite local metal bands and as usual, they delivered a slashing set of melodic power metal. With new album Children Of The Abyss due out September 23rd, latest single Dragons Unite was a set highlight and back to back with their classic Silent Company, its the perfect introduction for any in the room not familiar with the band. Singer Gio whilst ageing more and more like Ronnie James as the years go by, still has amazing pipes, with the twin Jackson guitar axe attack of Janevski and Mohammed rivalling that of any metal band worldwide, period. “Blackout restrictions were imposed with varying success….”, those familiar words can only mean one thing, with set closer Fall Of The Reich taking us back 15 years to the bands classic Sands Of Time album, with its galloping rhythm seeing drummer Ben Wignall and Evan Harris delivering the goods.
As the curtain fell, Dragonland hit the stage launching into the thunderous opener Shadows Of Mithril Mountains. With front man Jonas Heidgert having one of the most highly regarded vocal ranges in metal, this was on display from the outset. Backing up with Thousand Towers White it was a double shot from the Under The Grey Banner album, and it was clear this was going to be one epic night of metal.
Keyboardist Elias Holmlid was a true joy to watch and constantly be mesmerised by his lead runs and solos. Judging by the smile on his face during In Perfect Harmony, he must also share the same views of Heidgert when intro’ing this as one of the bands favourite songs to play. Time for a slower song Heidgert announces, before we are treated with The Tempest. Whilst maybe slower in tempo, a song no less intense.
From slow, it was onto happy, with the joyous and super melodic Starfall kicking off what was a trio of highlights for me. The Black Mare received one of the biggest crowd reactions, with the euphoric chorus being sung loud and proud by not only the crowd, but the couple of special friends Jonas brought up on stage. The galloping rhythm being held down by Anders Hammer on bass and drummer Johan Nunez (Firewind, Kamelot), with guitarist Jesse Lindskog cutting loose with a soaring solo. As for that voice, if you weren’t slammed by Jonas’s range early on, then surely the ending to this song sealed the deal?
With the rhythm section well and truly dialled in, the menacing and rumbling sounds of Durnirs Forge showed the heavier side of the band. Recognising the spectrum of ages in the room tonight, Jonas joked it was time to now play a song written before some of the crowd was even born. With that Supernova kicked off the trio of songs from the bands debut album. Antimatter was crushing, with the vocal growls reminding me of Children of Bodom. Astronomy closed with more frenetic guitar and keys interplay.
The Neverending Story as in the 80’s classic, has always been a song that struck me as “metal” and Dragonland didn’t disappoint by closing their set with their version with a hefty dose of pomp.
With such sporadic live performances over the years, those who came to see Dragonland tonight had their patience rewarded with a master class of power metal from one of the genres true unheralded leaders who slayed all before them. Surely one of the metal gigs of the year?
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by SAS75 Photography
