Napalm Records (2008)

Welcome again to another installment of melodic hard rock and metal done with brilliance, sophistication and class. Former Edenbridge drummer Roland Navratil started Dignity in 2006, rounding out the main lineup with keyboardist Frank Pitters, guitarist Martin Mayr and bassist John Boy Bastard. After failed attempts to secure the right vocalist throughout 2007, in October these Austrians enlisted the services of Dreamland singer Jake E., began working on the vocal melodies and using the best studios across Austria, Sweden and Finland for the recording, mixing and mastering process. Their debut album "Project Destiny" has a lot in common with the super smooth multi-layered harmonies of say TNT, Europe or Queen, yet musically falls into slightly power/ progressive metal lines – reminding me of the early Ian Perry/ Elegy records. The riffing has more of a driving, pulsating feel in both the keyboard and guitar departments- while Jake E. comfortably tackles all areas of his expansive range- sitting for the most part in his mid range and occasional falsetto.

Highlights include the closing Chris DeBurgh cover "Don’t Pay The Ferryman" (proof that you can take a non-metal cut and make it your own), the opening burst of the title track and the piece de resistance, "Icarus". I feel like the latter track is a tribute to the greatness of Iron Maiden, yet the vocal arrangement screams out as the best Europe/ Queen montage known to man. If there were nominations for best power track of the year, "Icarus" would get my vote as the song starts slowly and builds to a classic mythology ode that opens up the sky and lifts the listeners to the highest of emotional highs. Even some of the instrumental sections of tracks like "Inner Circle Sympathy" or "Cry In Despair" had hints of the old Kansas/ Dream Theater guard, be it the time signature shuffling or the playful nature of the musicians present.

Since TNT and Europe have moved onto greener, more modern pastures with their latest studio offerings, "Project Destiny" should fill a void with melodic hard rock fanatics the world over. Let’s hope Jake E. stays around, as I think Dreamland and Dignity have enough individuality in their sounds to keep his creative voice in adequate shape.

Indie (www.indiedist.no)
www.dignityband.com
www.napalmrecords.com

Composed by Matt Coe