Italian Power Metal quintet DRACONICON have had a very industrious year with 4 singles released and most recently their debut studio release "Dark Side Of Magic". The artwork is something plucked straight from the Power Metal playbook, a huge dragon obliterating a small village / town. I'm sure it'd fit right in with any Power Metal library.

Opening the record is "Principium Tenebris" and it makes for uncomfortable listening. Disconcerting sounds set me on edge before the epic orchestral introduction that just builds and builds until "Fiery Rage" erupts into life. The track flying in full throttle, a high energy and complex tracking. The depth of the music is astounding and the strength of Arkanfel's vocals are mind blowing. If this is anything to gauge the "Dark Side Of Magic" off, then we are in for one hell of a ride. The titular "Dark Side Of Magic" is another amazing track, I would liken it to some combination of SABATON and GLORYHAMMER taking that epic Power Metal delivery coined by the latter and then hitting harder with the punchier and heavier stylings of the Swedish powerhouse.

If the record was the soundtrack to a movie then "Dusk Of A Hero" would be playing when our hero was undergoing an existential crisis before, ultimately, re emerging as the best version of himself and winning the day. It is just pure uplifting and epic music from start until finish. The structure, the depth and flow of everything just works together so well, it moulds so seamlessly that I am really having to remind myself that this is a DEBUT album. Back to my film analogy for a second; listen to "Darkspell" and tell me that you cant see a hero charging through a forest to aid his friends before it is too late, think cutting between our hero and the rest of his party struggling to contain some beast.

"Necropotence" has one of the most delectable motifs that I have heard in Power Metal for some time, but if I was being picky (and this is solely my opinion as a massive Folk / Celtic Metal fan) the track, in fact the album, would have benefitted massively from the addition of some pipes to bolster the guitars when they are playing said motifs. "Symphony Of Madness" closes out the record in a classy fashion, the near 7 minute track combining everything. Sublime instrumentals, electric pace and a devastating atmosphere that just made me want to listen to it over and over again.

Overall, well shit. There are some bands who are well established and have been doing this for some time who can't get something out quite this well polished. And again, I want to reemphasise that this is DRACONICON's DEBUT ALBUM. Would I recommend this to people? Fuck yes, get out there now and buy this fucking album.