ORION RIDERS ‘A New Dawn ’
(Lion Music) (2003)
A large number of European Power Metal bands originate from Italy. The
country's latest export, "Orion Riders", have recently released their debut
album "A New Dawn" through Lion Music. The band was formed in 1997 when
Carmelo Siracusa (Bass) and Antonello Condorelli (Guitars) discovered their
mutual appreciation for Queensryche, Helloween, Judas Priest and Iron
Maiden. In 1999 the band released their first demo "Brothers Of Another
Time" which was embraced by the music press worldwide. After a couple of
changes in the original line up, the band entered the studio and in October
2002 recorded their debut album.
Melodic/Power Metal bands will always face the same problem: Creating music
which will successfully combine melody with technicality. Why is that
difficult? Maybe because the leading bands of this genre (Helloween,
Stratovarious, Angra etc) have set very high standards. Maybe because most
of the European Power Metal bands that I've heard, fail to deliver fresh
ideas and end up becoming bad "cover bands". The industry is ruthless and
the competition is strong.
What about Orion Riders then?
I believe that "A New Dawn" is a very interesting debut album for various
reasons. You cannot say that the band presents something totally new, but
the compositions are well structured and the production of the album reaches
high quality levels. Influences from Helloween and Angra become visible
throughout this nine track CD but so does the band's personality. Joe
Lombardo is the band's heavy artillery - his voice has character and
delivers equally well high and low notes. Tony Zappa's (Drums & Keyboards)
orchestral arrangements were quite effective and the rest of the band
contributed their best. I consider "Light and Dark" and "Life's Best Days"
to be my favourite songs of the album.
It is important for every new band to make a step in the right direction -
Orion Riders made that step. Let's hope that the ones that will follow will
be equally successful.
Label website
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Review by John Stefanis
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