Australian mob Dragonsclaw put on a decent show with their raucous debut, the uncompromising Prophecy. Forged in the fires of old, this is an album bursting from the mold, overflowing with searing energy and strength. From the seething solos to the helium-choked vocals, Prophecy operates in the shadow of Jag Panzer and Seven Witches, attacking with a hammer-blow of melodic yet heavy Power Metal that owes as much to the American school as the Australian (one doesn’t have to strain too hard to hear Dungeon or Pegazus here and there).
While Dragonsclaw certainly have the talent and enthusiasm, they fail to lace their material with anything memorable. The vocal lines are present only to showcase the talents of vocalist Giles Lavery, who steals the show with a classic recitation of the metal wail. Likewise, the riffs themselves are vigorous, but on close inspection seem pieced together and rudimentary. That being said, true metal fans will overlook petty grievances to sample yet another dish of traditional workmanship.
