Band: Armory Album: The Dawn of Enlightenment Label: Independent Rating: 6/10 Website: http://www.faithinsteel.com BUY NOW!

Massachusetts-based power metal band, Armory originally released their debut, full-length album "The Dawn of Enlightenment" in 2004. Unhappy with the original's sound, in 2007 they rerecorded the album in a studio. They also acquired the professional touch of Peter Rutcho, who engineered, mastered and played keyboards on the album. These revisions included new artwork by Joe Kurland have vaulted the group out of the realm of a garage band and into a sound that rivals any of today's major power metal acts. Armory shows a variety of influences from the power metal and NWOBHM scenes. A close listen to "The Dawn of Enlightenment" will reveal shades of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Hammerfall, Manowar and even a sparse In Flames influence, although Iron Maiden and Hammerfall are the most obvious. High-note speed metal riffing exemplifies tracks such as "Faith in Steel," "Riding the Cosmic Winds" and moments throughout the title track recall the string work of Helloween and Hammerfall. Strong group choruses also bring to mind Hammerfall and Manowar. Armory keeps its music dynamic, though, weaving in and out between various styles, breaking away into guitar and keyboard solos and changing tempos. The thirteen-plus-minute title track is the best example of their mastery of change, displaying various persuasions of style. Galloping riffs and finger-tapped rhythms certainly recall guitar techniques of Adrian Smith and Dave Murray. Also in the vein of Maiden, the group has a knack for melodic leads. Adam Kurland's normal, verse range shares similarities in timbre and tone to Bruce Dickinson. If one couldn't recognize the Iron Maiden influence in Armory's original material, their rendition of "Flight of Icarus" makes it perfectly clear. Armory's cover is fairly close to the original, although it features updated equipment and the tuning appears lower. Tackling a Maiden tune is a tall order, though, and their attempt to emulate the world's greatest metal band exposes cracks in their musical repertoire, mostly in the area of the vocals. Kurland is right on during the middle range verses, but comes across a bit weak during the high-pitch wails. The Armory crew made a wise decision in revamping "The Dawn of Enlightenment." Their polished effort relays a sound that could rival that of any signed power metal band. The group exhibits solid talent, especially instrumentally. Adam Kurland is fantastic when he sings within his range, but his vocals falter during operatic moments. Some of the guitar solos seem slightly week, as if the guitarist is not playing the right note. If Armory recognizes and amends these errors, they could surely find them selves on a record label. Even with what they have going now, they are much heavier than many of the signed bands of this scene. Darren Cowan Back to Reviews