DRAKKAR, formed in 1995, is one of the leading bands in the Italian Metal scene, alongside groups like Rhapsody Of Fire, Labyrinth, and Domine. Led by guitarist Dario Beretta, they released two demo tapes in 1996 and 1997, securing a contract with Dragonheart Records.
DRAKKAR released 3 well received albums, they were freeze for over five years returning in 2012 with “When Lightning Strikes,” marking the beginning of a new era with producer Mattia Stancioiu. This was followed by two albums and an EP which solidified DRAKKAR’s credentials.
Now 2024, under Punishment 18 Records, DRAKKAR are releasing their seventh album “Spread Your Wings“, inspired by Diego Delpiano’s novel “Helliger Quest,” a collection of songs with a melodic metal sound strongly influenced by the ’80s. Indeed, the twin guitar melody, the punchy rhythm section and the clean powerful vocals takes us back to 1984.
DRAKKAR feels content to churn out classic heavy metal with power, precision, and older, tried and true influences; Denim n’ leather – and that’s good.
DRAKKAR doesn’t care about trends; they deliver an epic style of traditional heavy metal that contains singalong choruses, aggressive riffs, and themes of triumph through battle, strength, and the spirit of the genre – it’s all one could hope and expect for a band 29 years in existence.
Much of the riffing and hooks from the guitars and vocals come from a Teutonic meets NWOBHM veneer – although there are times where keyboard accents give off a bit more of a 70s Deep Purple / Uriah Heep texture. The main musical direction all over here is an uplifting guitar / keyboard unison with serious action from vocalist Davide Dell’Orto alternating perfect screams with clean phrasing.
Diversity is also important to Drakkar, which takes place with some electric folk nuances / acoustic passages, midpaced but always ‘metal’.
Beefed up by a ‘polished-but-gritty’ production quality, all songs into “Spread Your Wings” guarantee the emphasis is kept firmly on the ‘metal factor’. Classic traditional metal in fact. Long time vocalist Davide Dell’Orto sounds confident, mature and totally in control, whilst sole original member Dario Beretta is clearly having a whale of a time, providing some excellent solos among the well-rounded song structures.
We won’t disparage Drakkar’s almost 3-decade legacy by saying they are reminiscent of this band or that – because, truth be told, they have always had their own timbre. It’s a familiar and well-trodden one, yes, but well done and entertaining.
Highly Recommended
1 Thunderhead
2 Spread Your Wings
3 Knife in the Dark
4 Ode to Polaris
5 A Man in Black
6 Forged in Fire
7 Stand by You
8 Shields of the Brave
9 Ancestral River
Dario Beretta Guitars
Davide Dell'Orto Vocals
Simone Pesenti Gritti Bass
Marco Rusconi Guitars
Emanuele Laghi Keyboards
Drakkar – Spread Your Wings 2024
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