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Messiah's Kiss - Dragonheart

Published March 24 2007


*
=Staff's pick

The Ancient Cries*
Baylon
Falcons Cry
Dragonheart*
Thunders Of The Night
Steelrider*
City Of Angels
Nocturnal
Northern Nights
Open Fire
The Ivory Gates*


Genre Traditional Metal
Mike Tirelli
Vocals
Tracks 11
Georg Kraft
Guitar
Runningtime 45 Min.
-
Guitar
Label SPV
Wayne Banks
Bass
Release 26 Feb. 2007
Eckhard Ostra
Drums
Country Germany
-
Keyboard
Similar artists Godiva, Cornerstone, Riot, Dio

Messiah's Kiss are true believers in the cult of the classics; with their mettle 'til we die motif, they never run and hide in shame, rather with courage they would rather fight or fall. Incandescent and glimmering like a light in the black, harking where the falcons cry, these nocturnal steelriders open fire brandishing, with their souls uncaging rebellion. Say a prayer for the dying metal-core crowd; because, with humble pride and glory these mavericks will riot and rule, as the last in line; choosing to experience hell or victory of steel. Like a rainbow in the dark, see them standing strong at the ivory gates of Babylon; saluting the Lady Godiva and her Holy Mother of Angels. All ye poseurs, heed the ancient cries of the dragonheart, when the metal knights come down to conquer - on the edge of eternity. Messiah's Kiss issue their final warning for the weak; as this brood of kings of Teutonic steel let the thunder roar, on their third ballistic culmination.

I initially acknowledged Messiah's Kiss, when I purchased their debut. Scripted with a list of specious songs like - Dream Evil, Blood Of The Kings, and Night Comes Down; I was duped to believe that this was a tribute album to the likes of Dio, Manowar, & Priest. As it turns out, all songs were originals - heavily influenced by these and other Metal Gods. Vocalist Mike Tirelli is the perfect frontman coming from the band Holy Mother (now also singing for Riot). He possesses the classic Dio/Dickinson punch, and that halcyeon Halford cadence. The guitar work of Alexander Hitz, Georg Kraft, and drummer extraordinaire - the energetic Eckhard Ostra - all formally of Repression, diligently maintain the traditional feel, popularized by the likes of Saxon & Accept.

I eagerly anticipated their follow-up, aptly titled Metal. This CD suffered from poor production, and uneven musicality, as well as unbalanced arrangements of songs structure. The opener - Uncaging Rebellion - is awesome; but the CD is riddled with too many inadequate fillers; and the wild dogs barking at the end of the CD was just too much for me to endure.

This made me highly skeptical to hear DragonHeart; so I asked the wife to check it out, first. She really enjoyed it; even though she had never heard any of their earlier efforts. So I decided to give them another chance. I'm please to pronounce, that Messiah's Kiss have found their heavenly touch. They play true metal; although it's nothing original, that is still quite majestic. Every song exudes 80's metal blood, sweat, and tears shed with the reign of fire and promised fury.

The title track honours Priest & Maiden simultaneously with an echo and foreshadowing approach to sonic adulation. With an emergent scene of alarming disassociation, Messiah's Kiss' dynasty is to delight in the performance of quality music made from their mettle hearts and deepest mortal sinews. Several songs are aggressive and extremely heavy - like the opener The Ancient Cries, Steelrider, and Babylon. Open Fire is a definite tribute to Y&T; as Mike emulates Dave Meniketti. Dragonheart burns with a passion and alacrity that annihilates its predecessor. The closer - The Ivory Gates - is as majestic as the masterpiece Blood Of The Kings from their debut. This time they even experiment with female vocals in a duet with Mike.

The cover art work was painted by Luis Royo with an homage to the other ecstastic Messiah's Kiss portraits, as well as Kamelot's brilliant Fourth Legacy. Interestingly enough, this is also the identical cover for Skylark's - Divine Gates Part 1: Gates Of Hell.

Overall, if you blend Teutonic & British Steel with American Metal, you will hear the beat of the dragon's heart. This is because Georg & Eckhard dwell in Germany; while Wayne lives in England, and Mike originates from the US. Pucker up, gets saved, and taste the Messiah's Kiss.

See also review of: Metal

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8

7

8

8

8

 
Summary



8 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel


Related links:

www.messiahskiss.com