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Allen/Olzon: Army Of Dreamers

Symphonic/Melodic/Power Metal

4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 07.09.2022 | Released: 09.09.2022

2022 reunites two exceptional metal vocalist for a second time. Symphony X's Russell Allen and Dark Element's Anette Olzon (formerly with Nightwish) arrive with their sophomore long player, Army Of Dreamers.. We haven't heard much from Allen of his primary band, yet he did appear on the recent Arjen Lucassen Star One project. However, Ms Olzon has been busy picking up some side hustles. You'll find her adding her vocal talent to the new band Ultima Grace, hailing from Japan. A review is forthcoming.

Anette Olzon

While the album brings together two international metal talents, Allen/Olzon is also the project of songwriter, composer, producer, and guitarist extraordinaire Magnus Karlsson. This is notable for all those skills. Yet, more specifically, Karlsson knows how to write songs for the singers he works with and, on top of that, for this guitar fan, he's one of my favorite lead guitarists. Nevertheless, Karlsson does not venture far from his proverbial wheelhouse. Army Of Dreamers consists of, simply, well-crafted symphonic and melodic heavy/power metal.

And so, the songs are rather consistent and entertaining across the entire album. More traditional Euro power metal comes with Until It's Over. Army Of Dreamers, and A Million Skies. However, I found some songs more favorable because of the inherent rock groove that rises, such as Carved In Stone or Never Too Late. A song like So Quiet Here is heavily orchestrated, then juxtaposes softer vocal moments with the power metal. One thing that remains constant is the unification of vocal roles: neither Allen of Olzon have an upper hand over the other, and that's impressive.

All said, and simply, Russell and Anette Olzon's Army Of Dreamers is solid and satisfying melodic power metal which also does what intends: bring together to fine vocal talents in perfect harmony. Recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Russell and Anette Olzon's Army Of Dreamers is solid and satisfying melodic power metal which also does what intends: bring together to fine vocal talents in perfect harmony. Recommended.

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Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]

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