![]() ![]() All the while the djent-infused guitars, groovy bass line, and intense drums work relentlessly to provide a nice and tight rhythmic backbone that juxtaposes the soaring vocals. The centerpiece of the album is undoubtedly the superb duet with powerhouse vocalist Nils Molin ( DYNAZTY, AMARANTHE), “ Afterlife.” Their voices blend so well together in some beautiful harmonies, especially those wails at the end, to bring this dark and slightly Gothic piece to life. I can already imagine how unleased the crowd will get once this makes its way to the band’s live setlist, as the build-up in intensity pays off in a grand chorus and nifty instrumental sections. ![]() ![]() There are some harsh vocals mixed up in here that make the song feel all the more aggressive and ominous. “ Your Enemy” is one of the heaviest cuts on the album, with powerful guitars, pounding drums, and melodic vocals that counterbalance everything. “ Inferno” feels like a power ballad, with subtle orchestrations that add to the drama of the music, while the instrumental side keeps everything grounded in heavy sounds. This is followed by the first single, “ Unstoppable,” whose big chorus pulls the listener in while the occasional harsh vocals layered under some melodic cleans give off a menacing vibe. It sets up the story and the mood nicely. Opener “ Reinvented” is a melodic and heavy piece with some piano lines popping up in the background. It boasts straightforward tracks, like lead single “ Unstoppable,” but also a few new and intriguing musical directions, as the djenty second single and major hit, “ Afterlife.” From a musical standpoint, “ Chapter II – Legacy” is quite cinematic and grand, as it has to be to support such a big overarching theme. Coincidentally, it fits his bloodlust pretty well. His nickname – Dracula – stems from a military organization his father was a part of, namely the Order of the Dragon. For those that don’t know, Vlad the Impaler was a ruler who did what was needed to protect his land against the Ottoman Empire, but his methods were controversial, to say the least. Thus, don’t expect a historical album about battles and such, but rather a commentary on how good intentions often lead to Hell, and how people seek redemption (in this case, even in the afterlife). Lyric-wise, the album poses a lot of moral questions and uses a number of interesting metaphors to get its point across. Is it weird I am more impressed by the younger, up-and-coming talent (like AD INFINITUM, SEVEN SPIERS, JINJER, SPIRITBOX, PHANTOM ELITE) than I am by many already established groups who mostly seem to be playing it safe? Likewise, bassist Korbinian Benedict and drummer Niklas Müller follow suit and bring some nice grooves and djent accents to the fold. The melodic side is just as sleek and potent as before, with Melissa Bonny delivering some absolutely gorgeous vocal melodies, while guitarist Adrian Thessenvitz showcases his skill in some excellent riffs and masterful solos. Picking up where the band left off with their debut album, “ Chapter II – Legacy” sees the quartet strengthening their symphonic power metal style with a much heavier approach to the music.
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