With a name like Dragonhammer, I was expecting the relentless double-bass drumming and fantasy-laced lyrics so common to the power-metal genre. Then I listened to the slowed-down-to-sound-especially-evil spoken-word opener, "Ancient Voice," and wondered if Time for Expiation was a death-metal disc. By the time this Italian quartet launched into "Eternal Sinner," though, I knew that the second album from Dragonhammer didn't adhere to the standards of either genre.
Power-, symphonic- and progressive-metal elements come together to hold listeners' attention while exploring operatic vocal styles, multi-part harmonies (just listen to the primal harmony vocals on "Believe"), classical-inspired keyboards and sophisticated yet heavy guitars riffs. Time Of Expiation addresses introspective themes, as the album follows a tormented soul (the "Eternal Sinner") on his journey toward atonement.
Perhaps the most important piece of information you need to know about Time of Expiation is that it doesn't sound like a typical Italian metal abum.
Track Listing
1) Intro (0:59)
2) Eternal Sinner (4:13)
3) Believe (6:18)
4) Fear Of A Child (4:06)
5) The Pages I Never Wrote (5:50)
6) Free Land (6:36)
7) Blind Justice (5:19)
8) YMD (4:14)
9) Time For Expiation (5:02)
Total Time: 42:41
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