When you put on a symphonic power metal album from Italy then you know what to
expect; fast guitar runs, fast pounding drums, big keyboard orchestrations, huge
choirs and a high pitched vocalist with a slight accent. And Derdian
delivers on all fronts and they rarely strays away from path laid out by the big
ones in the genre.
"New Era Pt. 3 - The Apocalypse" is the conclusion of a trilogy, which began in
2005. The second part followed in 2007 and now they've come to the end of story
and if you are looking for an injection of fast power metal with many layers of
keyboards like we used to get on a regular basis some years ago from the likes
of Rhapsody, Majestic, Dragonland and Skylark then look no further, because this
has all the trademarks and virtues in bundles.
I do think there are a few glitches; the production could be better, the
keyboards are too dominant and they need to leave the safe confines of the style
more. Best moments are actually when they strays a bit away from the path;
"Black Rose", a fine rock anthem and my favourite "Forevermore", where they are
joined by female vocalist Lisy Stefanoni (Evenoire), a nice slow almost
semi-ballad with some cool keyboard parts and good melodic guitar parts.
A respectable and solid effort never-the-less that will bring much joy for fans
of the above mentioned bands.
