From amongst all of Metaldom's red-headed step-children, Power metal might be one of the reddest. With certain exceptions, it's mostly good natured fun, an upward inflection in a room of grumblers. Though birthed by RAINBOW on "Rising", much of the genre's best remembered examples have been informed by Sweden's six-string Road Runner, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, parallel to his development of the Neoclassical style of metal. It should be no wonder then that just about every band to follow those footsteps has... well, followed exactly in line.

Unfortunately, since the 1980's heyday, both Neoclassical and Power metal have been relegated to the niche market, and for better or worse, there hasn't been a lot of real development to the genres since then. But the good news for the dedicated fans is that there's still enough activity to generate brand-new albums that could be mistaken for being decades old. Enter the Neoclassical Power metal revival project SARTORI. Lead guitarist and songwriter ANDY SARTORI has assembled a quartet of genre veterans to give rise to "Dragon's Fire", a thirty minute flashbomb of technically sound music.

That isn't being generous; not one of these men is flailing at any moment, trying to figure out what to do. Right from the opener, "Evil Heart", not only are you sure of the genre, you can sense the confidence. Even so, one might be forgiven if they don't really notice when "One Distant Heart" follows it, or the next song after that. That repetitiveness has long plagued the style, and SARTORI does not escape it here. A guitar interlude which sounds like a synth solo helps break up the album's front end in time for "Devil In Disguise" to resume their previously charted course.

The second half succeeds in many more places. "Through The Eyes Of My Soul" is a bona fide Power ballad back from the dead, a true Bic-waver in the age of phone flashlights. The best orthodox effort comes on "Battle In The Distant Lands", a particularly cogent, energetic, and solid song.

It is on "Castle Of Lost Souls", however, where the band may be exposed. This instrumental track sees them really put their foot on the gas, driving up the Power revs like they haven't done so far, and so lies the problem: for Neoclassical Power metal, this has not been uniquely powerful. Track seven is thus not a taste of their talents, but a tease. It's an exception to prove the rule.

The lines are not crossed by SARTORI. What you will get on "Dragon's Fire" is a proficient and qualified exercise in Neoclassical Power metal in the way that made the genre famous almost forty years ago. Most of the band members have a direct link to that scene, so they clearly know how to do it right. But that's all it is, just right. It's not phenomenal, it's not groundbreaking, it won't bring Metal back to the cultural forefront. It's just here to satisfy the fans, but at least it's doing that much.

Where many bands might take it too seriously or try too hard, SARTORI finds the balance between talent and effort. Not screwing up is a good start, but now how about taking some chances? "Dragon's Fire" is less of a blaze and more of a bottle rocket. Add it to your road trip playlist to eat up a quick half hour if you're so inclined. Otherwise, hold out some hope that they can find some dimension for the next album.