Armory hails from across the big pond, but their music is
100 percent European influenced - first and foremost by Helloween
and Iron Maiden with loads of twin leads, fine harmonies and
galloping rhythms. They do not possess a shred of originality, and
even though the music is well played, the musicians are competent
and the album has an acceptable sound, it really wears thin
in the long run.
'The Dawn of Enlightenment' was
originally released back in 2004, and even though it was well
received it never managed to make a stir due to almost no promotion.
This is a re-recording of the entire album with a more professional
approach to things with the aim to bring more justice to the songs.
They have completely reworked the vocal melodies, and the keyboards
are real on this recording.
The result is a acceptable dose of
powerful heavy metal with it's strong roots solidity founded in the
European soil, and if you are able to look past the lack of
originality you'll find a good album that should appeal to fans of
the above mentioned bands as well as Edguy, HammerFall, Sonata
Arctica and Gamma Ray - I think you get the picture... but next time
around I hope for more originality because I do loose interest in
their music half way into the album due to lack of it...
This album survives because of
great musicianship, a good vocalist and the absolutely brilliant
title track, which is enough for me to
give the album the approved stamp!
