DERDIAN – DNA [Japanese Edition +1] (2018)

Italian metallers DERDIAN releasing today their seventh full-length album “DNA” via King Records in Asia and independently elsewhere. This is easily their most commercial album to date, still retaining the power riffs and some racing drumming but as happens with most bands in this genre, they have incorporated catchy choruses and lots of melody into the sound.

One thing the band does not try to do is reinvent the wheel. Derdian effectively blends melody and harmony, rhythm and groove through the essential elements of metal twin guitar attack, sweetened gallop and rock groove, stunning guitar solos, symphonic synth textures and, of course, fine melodic clean vocal arrangements.
The band cross genre boundaries with ease, and appeal to a very wide audience.

With a wonderful orchestrated introduction titled ‘Abduction’ including pianos, Derdian quickly jumps on the rapid melodic metal bullet train with title track ‘DNA’, ‘False Flag Operation’, and ‘Never Born’, which has a beautiful piano intro and lingering line.
The piano forms the substance of several other songs including ‘Nothing Will Remain’, ‘Destiny Never Awaits’, and ‘Part Of This World’. With the latter you get a delightful light breakdown after the midpoint which features lighter guitar, keys and bass, then rising with symphonic synths to a guitar solo.
Similar, in the middle of ‘Nothing Will Remain’, you’ll find another piano segue, yet over a lively pace with smooth guitars.

Another highlight is ‘Hail To The Masters’, anthemic and epic, which has a large choral vocal arrangements, bombastic riffs and synths, and a Celtic vibe. Stunningly atmospheric and fast paced, ‘Red And White’ is a savage barrage of blisteringly quick power metal, similar in style to the ‘Keeper Of The Seven Keys’ era Helloween.

But the strongest song, and a personal favorite, is probably ‘Elohim’ which has some kind of an Eastern feel and a hard rock pulse, then a unique solo.
As a whole, the album is positively mesmerizing. Curiously, what you will not find here is a ballad, but many tracks have a midtempo pace, quite melodic and easy to the ears.

Derdian’s ‘DNA’ is a strong, vibrant, and entertaining album from what should be called ‘the new wave of power / sympho metal’. It’s all quite accessible, melodic, aiming to tap your feet.
With its twists, many of the songs on offer are smile inducing, and sound like Derdian were having an absolute ball while recording them. Yes, there is professionalism in there too, but the album is fun and full of surprises.
Very Recommended

01. Abduction
02. DNA
03. False Flag Operation
04. Never Born
05. Hail to the Masters
06. Red and White
07. Elohim
08. Nothing Will Remain
09. Fire from the Dust
10. Destiny Never Awaits
11. Frame of the End
12. Part of This World
13. Ya Nada Cambiara
14. Never Born (Jap Version) (Japan Bonus Track)

Ivan Giannini – Vocals
Enrico “Henry” Pistolese – Guitars, Vocals
Dario Radaelli – Guitars
Marco Banfi – Bass
Salvatore Giordano – Drums
Marco “Gary” Garau – Keyboards

BUY IT !
www.kingrecords.co.jp/cs/g/gKICP-1927/
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