Dungeon - Resurrection (Modern Invasion) 1999/2005
1. "Death From Above"
(:53)
2. "Resurrection" (4:40)
3. "Paradise" (4:35)
4. "No Way Out" (3:21)
5. "Wake Up" (4:36)
6. "Fightn" (3:55)
7. "Severed Ties" (5:09)
8. "Time To Die" (5:28)
9. "I Am Death" (5:26)
10. "Judgment Day" (4:45)
11. "The Legend Of Human" (7:32)
BONUS TRACKS
12. "Playing to Win" (3:11)
13. "Waiting for an Alibi" (3:39)
"Resurrection" is Dungeon's 1999 power metal classic, which has recently be reissued with bonus tracks. Despite being from Australia, Dungeon have that current Euro-power metal sound, complete with fast riffing, galloping rhythms, double bass, sing-along choruses, and flashy guitar solos. Vocalist Lord Tim has a clean, high voice that at times reminds me of some of the early Savatage albums. However, most of the time, he has a sound that is not unlike the hordes of European power metal bands currently flooding the market. I assume that this was originally a self-financed, independent release. If that is the case, the band did a spectactular job on the mixing. I am not sure if the re-release I have is remastered or any different from the original release. The two bonus tracks are essential. Any band that would record a cover of Thin Lizzy's "Waiting for an Alibi" is alright with me. Classy choice for a cover.
Dungeon - A Rise to Power (LMP) 2002
1. "The Prophecy"
(2:22)
2. "A Rise To Power" (7:04)
3. "Netherlife (Black Roses Die)" (6:51)
4. "Insanity's Fall" (4:53)
5. "The Other Side" (5:41)
6. "Stormchaser" (3:22)
7. "Where Madness Hides" (4:30)
8. "Lost In The Light" (7:36)
9. "Life Is Black" (3:45)
10. "The Birth: The Trauma Begins" (:23)
11. "Traumatized " (04:22)
12. "A Rise To Power (Reprise)" (1:59)
13. "Queen of the Ryche" [hidden bonus track] (4:08)
It seems in the last 10 years the power metal scene across the globe has just exploded. I've received tons of material from power metal bands that just didn't grab my attention. I tend to think that some of the bands have just begun to sound generic, although several of them have really grabbed my attention and held my interest. Bands like Primal Fear and Dream Evil, for instance, have become favorites of mine. Dungeon could easily be added to that list. "A Rise to Power" is a fantastic power metal platter. As with any power metal band, all the essentials are here, fast riffs, galloping heavy metal, speedy double bass, stellar guitar solos and smooth, clean vocals. "A Rise to Power" seems to me to be genuine. While some bands tend to sound like they are following a trend in metal, Dungeon are the real deal. The band offers high quality song writing rather than self-indulgence and wankery. That is not to say their isn't plenty of talent present on this CD because there is. This is just a strong heavy metal platter, from the galloping "Stormchaser", to the melodic "Life is Black", to the epic "Netherlife", to the thrashy "Traumatized", right down to the hidden bonus track cover of Queensryche's "Queen of the Ryche".