DRAGONY – Hic Svnt Dracones [Here Be Dragons] (2024) *HQ*

What started in the summer of 2007 as a studio project conceived by a handful of enthusiastic Power Metal fans from Vienna, Austria, as The Dragonslayer Project, DRAGONY has long since become an established name in the international metal circus – and is set to release its fifth studio album ”Hic Svnt Dracones” (Here Be Dragons in Latin) on October 11th, 2024.
DRAGONY belongs to the ‘new wave of power metal’, which in fact, it isn’t ‘power’ at all. This ‘new wave’ focuses on melody, easy choruses, and catchiness. In the case of DRAGONY, they go even further adding loads of keyboards / synths to the music.
Take as example the song ‘Twilight Of The Gods’ – it sounds more like H.E.A.T than anything else. Indeed, musically ”Hic Svnt Dracones” is very accessible. Lyrically, the album has a concept story behind “Hic Svnt Dracones” tells a the band’s interpretation of the events surrounding the “Lost Colony” of Roanoke in the “New World” in the 16th century as well as the fate of the British colonists who disappeared there.

This is an album displaying great positivism and an uplifting vibe that holds throughout. All the songs are delivered decisively by musicians who really know how to play this style of rock. On a couple of tracks the arrangements have intricacy, but equally, on the whole, waste little time in steering the listener towards a catchy vocal hook or chorus, all presented expertly by vocalist Samer.

”Hic Svnt Dracones” was mixed and mastered by genre expert Jacob Hansen, a man that elevates any recording. The guitars are blistering. The drum mix is about as perfect as you can hope for. Vocal production is huge, with every chorus being an anthem. Hansen is the perfect choice for this kind of album, and has done an exceptional job here.
There’s a confidence to this band and it shows through repeatedly on “Hic Svnt Dracones”. The image, the lyrics, the name – it’s maybe all a bit tongue in cheek, but when it comes to delivering well done music in this style, there’s no denying this band’s seriousness.
Highly Recommended

01 – From The New World (1584)
02 – Dreamchasers
03 – Silver & Blood
04 – Dragon Of The Sea (Sic Parvis Magna)
05 – Ill Met By Moonlight
06 – Perfect Storm
07 – Hic Svnt Dracones (Here Be Dragons)
08 – The World Serpent
09 – The Einherjar (What Dreams May Come)
10 – Twilight Of The Gods
11 – Beyond The Rainbow Bridge
12 – The Untold Story (Albion Online) (Bonus Track)

Siegfried Samer – Vocals
Mat Plekhanov – Guitars
Simon Saito – Guitars
Herbert Glos – Bass
Manuel Hartleb – Keys
Christoph Auckenthaler – Drums

Pre order:
napalmrecords.com/english/dragony-hic-svnt-dracones-digipak-cd.html