There are a few more bands with the name Drakkar, but this is the Italian epic
powermetal band that started in 1995. With 'Run With the Wolf' the band releases
the fifth album and on this album they continued the combination of epic power
metal with keyboards in Deep Purple style. Another band that can be mentioned as
influence is Thin Lizzy. The combination of 70' rock with power metal riffs and
epic elements is something you like or not. I have to get used to it, but is has
some originality and that works in their favor.
You can also hear that the band likes Keltic or should I say Irish inlfuences. "Ride
the Storm" is a big example of that, an epic kind of heroic song with pipes ,
Irish tunes and a big sing a long refrain. In my opinion the songs are not all
strong enough and I'm not really happy with the singing of Dave Dell'Orto all
the time. Besides the typically Italian accent his singing can't convince me
either. The sea shanty "Southern Cross" with accoustic guitars and flute is the
biggest example of that. Fortunately (for me) there are some power metal tracks
that are interesting enough, like for example "Under the Banners of War", "Watcher
On the Wall", "Burning" and "Gods of Thunder". All this songs can't change the
fact that Drakkar is an average band. There are too many bands in this genre
that top them on a lot of fronts. The one thing I can please them for is that
the combination ot power metal with 70's rock organs is quite original and
daring.
If you want something else for a change, you certainly have to check out this
album with guest vocals of Terence Holler (Eldritch) on "Gods of Thunder" and
other guest musicians like Mat Stancioiu and Olaf Thorsen. Fans will also be
pleased with the deluxe double CD with 5 classic songs from their first three
albums re-recorded and refreshed by the current lineup.
