Dynazty
Renatus
Spinefarm Records
2014
With the fourth album “Renatus” getting released, just a couple of short years after their last “Sultans of Sin” Dynazty, seem to complete their transformation into a full on metal band. For a band that started, as a more hard rock, proposition, you know along the likes of all those bands that came out along the likes of Crashdiet etc. and didn’t sound a million miles away they have really grown some balls and turned themselves in a hybrid, of highly melodic European power Metal, ala Brainstorm etc., but probably better… I’d dare say, more consistent and still bearing the hooks of a hard rock band but “metallized”… so there are still all the harder influences of Whitesnake, Dokken, Skid Row’s harder moments but the mix is so effortless, that you won’t even have to think about whether if you’re listening to hard rock or heavy metal, it’s something in between. Hard ‘n Heavy as it happens and pretty damn cool, thanks to the bands collective performances and really good songwriting.
“Cross the Line” begins with some really bombastic drumming, and intense groovy melodies, courtesy of drummer George Egg (bet this band will be big with the Basic How To guy!) and the now ex-bassist Joel Fox Apelgren, while the dynamic duo of guitarists Rob Love Magnusson and Mike Lavér just “Run Amok” with cool ass riffs all around and solos…
“Starlight” is a little different… probably a little faster, more bombastic and enthusiastic in the chorus part and features a wilder solo. But it’s built on the same great recipe and ingredients.
“Dawn of Your Creation” has a cooler more measured tempo and is more in the mid tempo territory but still comes up with great parts and has a catchy as hell melody and a brilliant chorus, what’s more to ask?
“The Northern End” very brilliantly manages to insert the melody and the lyrics being sung/ends of each verse, between the beats, on the bridge/chorus, so as to create a very unique, slightly behind time sensation, obviously, it always, catches up by the end of the said part! Smart!
“Incarnation” is another heavier and not incredibly fast number, even if it can’t by any means be called slow either... it’s mid tempo but it has tendencies of getting faster, until it gets extinguished…
And having mentioned “Run Amok” just previously, here’s where the boys, just go for it… firing up all their better ideas, they create this fantastic tune which is a great mix between melodic hard rock with infused metal parts into it... ie the solo, chorus etc.… there are even some keyboards (as elsewhere in the album that seem to be uncredited – that are discreet – but work greatly to enhance the result...)
“Unholy Deterrent” that sounds like some cleaning liquid to me (haha!?) also clocks at 4:18 just as long as “Run Amok” but it is totally more evil and metallic and tons heavier. Great solo here as well! Evil Masquerade must be feeling the competition!
“Sunrise in Hell” has an even more symphonic and keyboard laden melody and a style that’s almost reminiscent of latter day Heavens Gate at times.
“Salvation” is also quite nice with its more melodic intro giving way to a more dynamic continuation and even its seven minutes seem not to tire, at least not too much, although maybe a minute, could have been trimmed away without anyone noticing...
Finally “A Divine Comedy” is a rather unusual, eccentric and rather slightly more modern flavored number melodic with excellent melodies and excellent vocal acrobatics from singer Nils Molin, who really is one of the bands strongest assets and impressed the #$@#$ out of me! Rarely have I heard a singer being able to maintain so much melody and sing consistently rather high while sounding pretty solid and convincing at the same time, without sounding too thin or too rough. At times he reminds me of Thomas Rettke from Heavens Gate but at other times he sort of does his own thing completely!
Awesome album, great band. Instead of losing your head over has-beens and wannabes go get this album now, ask questions and thank me, later!
“Cross the Line” begins with some really bombastic drumming, and intense groovy melodies, courtesy of drummer George Egg (bet this band will be big with the Basic How To guy!) and the now ex-bassist Joel Fox Apelgren, while the dynamic duo of guitarists Rob Love Magnusson and Mike Lavér just “Run Amok” with cool ass riffs all around and solos…
“Starlight” is a little different… probably a little faster, more bombastic and enthusiastic in the chorus part and features a wilder solo. But it’s built on the same great recipe and ingredients.
“Dawn of Your Creation” has a cooler more measured tempo and is more in the mid tempo territory but still comes up with great parts and has a catchy as hell melody and a brilliant chorus, what’s more to ask?
“The Northern End” very brilliantly manages to insert the melody and the lyrics being sung/ends of each verse, between the beats, on the bridge/chorus, so as to create a very unique, slightly behind time sensation, obviously, it always, catches up by the end of the said part! Smart!
“Incarnation” is another heavier and not incredibly fast number, even if it can’t by any means be called slow either... it’s mid tempo but it has tendencies of getting faster, until it gets extinguished…
And having mentioned “Run Amok” just previously, here’s where the boys, just go for it… firing up all their better ideas, they create this fantastic tune which is a great mix between melodic hard rock with infused metal parts into it... ie the solo, chorus etc.… there are even some keyboards (as elsewhere in the album that seem to be uncredited – that are discreet – but work greatly to enhance the result...)
“Unholy Deterrent” that sounds like some cleaning liquid to me (haha!?) also clocks at 4:18 just as long as “Run Amok” but it is totally more evil and metallic and tons heavier. Great solo here as well! Evil Masquerade must be feeling the competition!
“Sunrise in Hell” has an even more symphonic and keyboard laden melody and a style that’s almost reminiscent of latter day Heavens Gate at times.
“Salvation” is also quite nice with its more melodic intro giving way to a more dynamic continuation and even its seven minutes seem not to tire, at least not too much, although maybe a minute, could have been trimmed away without anyone noticing...
Finally “A Divine Comedy” is a rather unusual, eccentric and rather slightly more modern flavored number melodic with excellent melodies and excellent vocal acrobatics from singer Nils Molin, who really is one of the bands strongest assets and impressed the #$@#$ out of me! Rarely have I heard a singer being able to maintain so much melody and sing consistently rather high while sounding pretty solid and convincing at the same time, without sounding too thin or too rough. At times he reminds me of Thomas Rettke from Heavens Gate but at other times he sort of does his own thing completely!
Awesome album, great band. Instead of losing your head over has-beens and wannabes go get this album now, ask questions and thank me, later!