Symphonic Metalacore/Power Metal band DRAGONCORPSE formed in Australia in 2021. Judging by their appearance, they don’t take themselves too seriously, or, they just like to have some fun. I can’t think of two genres of Metal that are more opposed to one another, so this will be an interesting listening experience I am sure. This is the band’s second EP, and it has six songs. “An Introduction to [HEROISM] is first. For me, it sounds like a dragon and a man conversing angrily. What follows is an unusually jovial sound, and the concept that began lingers still. It’s a class tale of heroes and villains.

“Welcome Home” combines the might, energy, and positive tones of Power Metal with the vileness of Deathcore. As I mentioned above, I can’t think of two genres of Metal more diametrically opposed, but it works, and I can’t believe I am saying this, it works gloriously. The band are quite musically inclined as well, and their musicianship shines brightly. Ardent, brutal Deathcore elements open “I Live…AGAIN” but the band does not forget about the other side of the coin, and there are wonderful snippets of piano and orchestration. The vocal harmonies are very strong as well, and they propel the song into the heavens above.

“A Quest for Truth” brings high melodic elements out of the gate, the kind that remind me of the first warm spring day in the northeast. Underneath it, lies a sleeping giant who stirs heartily following centuries of being asleep. There are more harmonized vocal layers than a wedding cake as well. “Whisper on the Wind” features traditional Power Metal elements…a clean singer who has an expressive voice, supporting piano notes, and heavily emotive sounds, and without the black filth of Deathcore, you can really hear the band exploring the brighter side of the fence. “Fear and Hunger” closes the album, and here is where the combination of the opposite sides join hands and take a walk together. The jagged mountain peaks are covered in layers of wondrous clouds and snow above the atmosphere.

Whether or not my opening assertion of the band is true, it doesn’t matter, because this was a fantastic album to listen to. My only real complaint is the short length of the songs, and I wish there was more of them. Rather than creating a chaotic mess, the album finds an odd but undeniable synergy between these opposing genres. It’s a sonic balancing act that draws on the strengths of each style, blending the epic storytelling and technical prowess of Power Metal with the primal force and unpredictability of Deathcore. This album challenges genre boundaries in a way that feels fresh, inventive, and wholly original.