Hitting the button marked, “honesty,” I have to admit that sometimes I feel a sense of intrepidation when I open CD’s from unsigned bands. Often they contain half-baked ideas, murky sound and/or somewhat plagiarised attempts at being somebody else. Armory are nothing like that. They’ve been around since 2001 and sure they wear their influences on their metaphorical sleeves (Iron Maiden, Edguy, Helloween, Manowar, Gamma Ray, Priest etc) but they’re recorded a CD named The Dawn of Enlightenment that has totally blown this cynical old hack away! It’s actually a re-recording of a 2004 version of the same album but with two cover versions tagged on this time round. 

Lead vocalist Adam Kurland is rather adept at sounding like Tobias Sammet at times or Bruce Dickinson at others whilst his brother Joe takes care of guitars and drums (not both in the live arena though) whilst the line up is completed by guitarist Chad Fisher, Peter Rutcho on keyboards who give much of the material a fuller feel a la DragonForce, bassist Thomas Preziosi whilst Tom Vieira plays drums live. Together they make a noise that comes directly from power metal heaven. There’s nothing overly original in their work but it’s done with such gusto and they’ve a number of great songs that one can’t help but get carried along with things. 

I was speaking with Steve Cummings recently and we were discussing Armory and I mentioned that this band are better than any number of groups who are currently on the Nuclear Blast record label (and they have some awesome bands on their roster) so I had a little think (and looked at my i-pod) and noted that I enjoyed The Dawn of Enlightenment way more than signed acts such as Cage, Domine, Gaia Epicus or Labyrinth, all of whom I’ve reviewed in the last year. Somebody should sign Armory up ASAP, they don’t even feature a Germanic/Scandinavian accent as they’re from Massachusetts USA. 

Just one look at the track listening of the CD shows that power metal 101 is at work – witness Faith in Steel, Riding the Cosmic Winds, Forged in Dragon Flames or the title track itself. All these tunes sound just like they should but don’t feel derivative or anachronistic mainly thanks to the excellent melodies but especially to the, frankly, stupendous guitars which are (very) fast when required but are equally restrained when need be. All in all, I urge any power metal fans to check out all the facts about the band and to purchase their fabulous CD.

Contact: www.myspace.com/armorymetal

Track Listing

The Tempest
Faith In Steel
Riding The Csomic Winds
Forever Triumphant
Heart Of Dreams
Warrior Forlorn
Forged In Dragon Flames
The Eyes Of Time
Mystic Stow
The Dawn Of Enlightenment
Flight Of Icarus
Dr Wily

Line Up

Adam Kurland - Vocals
Chad Fisher - Guitars
Joe Kurland - Guitars
Thomas Preziosi - Bass
Peter Rutcho - Keyboards
Tom Vieira - Drums