DISPYRIA is the brainchild of songwriter / guitarist Jürgen Walzer, and their upcoming album titled “The Story of Marion Dust” is about the fatal fate of the girl who – confronted with supernatural powers – has to decide which path she will take in the future to use these powers for good or evil.
Walzer has enliste impressive vocalists for the recording: Zak Stevens (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) sing most the tracks, while Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) and Carsten “Lizard” Schulz (Lazarus Dream) drops lead vocals on three cuts on this grandiose concept album. Other guest musicians are Markus Pfeffer (Lazarus Dream) and Dezperadoz’ Wolfgang Sing providing some guitar solos.
Musically, the album ranks between Avantasia and Savatage, progressive metal / hard rock with melody. Clearly the presence of Zak Stevens inspire this comparison. When you travel through the eight spun out songs a certain alikeness does shine through including lots of powerful and somewhat bombastic riffs and song features.
Choosing to assemble a vocal triad that excels at every facet of traditional heavy metal material fits into this dramatic-oriented musical underpinning – with Zak Stevens (Savatage, Circle II Circle, TSO) tackling the lion’s share of duties with five songs showcasing his glorious voice. Of which opener “A Girl Called Marion” and eight-minute epic “Fire Child” rise above the flock, the latter featuring main chord progressions plus a solid, emotive lead break that mirrors Tony Martin-era Black Sabbath and latter day Savatage.
Primal Fear singer Ralf Scheepers showcases his bone chilling diversity in lower to leather lung capacities during “The Resistance” – shifting into anthem-oriented gear quickly while sprinkles of shredding arpeggio action and operatic movements appear at specific moments to create more anticipation for the next twist/turn.
Ex-Domain / Book of Reflections vocalist Carsten Schultz takes on the final two songs “Pandora’s Box” and “The Curse” – using a bit more of a bluesy, rockin’ belter nature to the former arrangement, while spitting his Rainbow-like register that matches the heavier atmosphere to the latter.
The proper pacing of the material plus additional narrative/sound effect aspects should retain interest in full playbacks – aligning well for those who love the Avantasia catalog, along with Mob Rules and previously mentioned Savatage reference points.
I certainly enjoyed the album as a whole. Jürgen Walzer has written strong songs and has made sure it all sounds cohesive, well mixed & produced. And with these capable three singers Walzer certainly hit the bulls-eye.
”The Story of Marion Dust” captivates as the best concept records should in any subgenre of metal. Solid playing, great songwriting, plus positioning professional singers in all the right spots to take the performances up a few notches – there are plenty of followers who will seek this out and be very satisfied.
I could try to explain the whole concept behind this LP but what would be left for the listener to discover? Like most concept-albums this is about dreams and reality, a certain fate awaiting the head person in the story. I rather leave that up to you to discover the story behind the story.
1. A Girl Called Marion
2. The Mark
3. Blue Mirror
4. Eternal Eye
5. The Resistance
6. Fire Child
7. Pandoras Box
8. The Curse
DISPYRIA (feat Zak Stevens, Ralf Scheepers, Carsten Schulz) – The Story of Marion Dust (2023)
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