An epic return

10 / 10
(Mother Of Power Metal)

90 / 100
➤ "… fantastic backdrop of orchestral magic … a gargantuan album of Power Metal to its core … symphonic power is what really makes ‘Second Life’ come to life … have all the hallmarks of fellow Italians Rhapsody, but also Blind Guardian and Twilight Force with their rapid-fire guitars, rhythmically thumping drums driving forward like caterpillar treads on a tank and a superb vocal performance from Mattia Fagiolo making this release really something special … this is classic European Power Metal done to a professionally high standard and any fan of the genre should invest in a copy …"
(Metal Digest)

9 / 10
➤ "… DRAGONHAMMER decided to go big for this album … the orchestration is exquisite, the rhythms are excellent and the guitar work is incredible … vocally, they hit all the hallmarks of Power Metal … powerful leads, big backing vocals and huge choirs to give a massive backdrop for the soaring musical themes. This is an album you can picture in your mind, complete with soundtrack, score, and action scenes …"
(Metal Temple)

9 / 10
➤ "I was hooked instantly … fantastic melodies on guitars, keyboards and voice, choirs for power and epic side and a very effective rhythmic. I particularly appreciate the sustained presence of double pedal drums (accompanied by the bass and rhythm guitar) which really serves the purpose throughout the album … we travel between fantastic ballads and epic songs … fans of Rhapsody Of Fire (of which I am a part) will be delighted, I have the same sensations as when listening to the 'Emerald Sword' saga."
(Olivier Albalat Metal)

4 / 5
➤ "… returned a bit more to their fantasy inspired style … epic atmosphere … a classic kind of Euro Power Metal … a bit more orchestration and symphonic elements this time … we get to hear the sounds of strings, lutes and flutes adding a bit of a medieval flair … songs surge along with a nice sense of velocity, many of them double-kick driven … lots of great solos, the one on ‘Sickness Divine’ being a favourite for me … it would be a shame for fans of the style to overlook this band … ‘Second Life’, being a strong album maybe give them just that, the second chance they need to break through …"
(Metal-Rules COM)

4 / 5
➤ "… epic … anthemic … electrifying … iconic … majestic … infectious …"
(Metalroos)

8,9 / 10
➤ "... in the 1990s, this record would probably have won the favour of many … 'Second Life' is not just a record for nostalgics, but a mature, well-constructed and equally well-played work that will surely provide moments of joy for lovers ..."
(Heavy Metal Webzine IT)

17 / 20
➤ "… filled with fantastic epic atmospheres and an accomplished phantasmagoria 'Second Life' will only meet the approval of the public … I just hope that this work meets a wider audience. In any case all the trumps have been shot to succeed in this enterprise …"
(Kaosguards)

85 / 100
➤ "If you love Power Metal and epicness, you will not want to miss this album, which is beautifully curated, beautifully played, exciting ... a true milestone of the genre that you will be proud to have in your album collection. Try it to believe …"
(Heavy Metal Maniac IT)

8,5 / 10
➤ "... action-packed Power Metal ... 'Second Life' is just fun and didn't bore me even on the umpteenth 'repeat', you always discover new nuances ... I really like Mattia Fagiolos' voice ... drummer Marco Berrettoni totally inspires me ... a round thing and in this compilation hopefully really a second life for the band ..."
(Powermetal DE)

8,5 / 10
➤ "... especially worth mentioning is the powerful-precise drumming of drummer Marco Berrettoni ... know their craft ... combine dynamic hardness factor with opulent, suspenseful captivating mood level - exactly what it comes down to in Classic Melodic Power Metal ... recommendable ... for the followers of Majestica, Stratovarius, Freedom Call and Rhapsody Of Fire ..."
(FFM-Rock)

8,5 / 10
➤ "… songs and orchestrations are quite epic, with good guitars/keyboards … the new vocalist, Mattia Fagiolo, is impressive and must be followed …"
(Sounds From Apocalypse)

84 / 100
➤ "… turned out to be a surprise, both in stylistic and quality terms … epic … rich orchestrations … winning ideas … the freshness you can feel is incredible … a great album … recommended …"
(Heavy Metal Heaven - Italian Videozine)

81 / 100
➤ "… adorable …"
(Hatena Blog)

8 / 10
➤ "… great keyboards merge with vigorous riffs and excellent solos … 55 minutes of a good experience …"
(Riff Of Metal)

8 / 10
➤ "… another great work to their already lush discography … does not afford a single weak song and convinces with individual highlights, such as the incredibly great 'Kingdom Of The Ghosts', which should bring tears of joy to the eyes of every genre fan."
(Soundmagnet)

8 / 10
➤ "… nicely balanced, energetic and despite the rather classic Power Metal quite fresh … if you want to remember classic Power Metal, DRAGONHAMMER and its 'Second Life' is a great way to go. People who adore the genre and don't like novelty might also find it to their liking. The tempo and melody changes are a bonus of the album."
(Hellmagazine)

8 / 10
➤ "… emphatic and epic glory style of Metal … displays a range of speeds that need more than just the normal five gears of most vehicles … the band showing more variation … keeping the listener engaged from start to finish …"
(Metal Gods TV)

77 / 100
➤ "Majestic, extraordinary and memorable … an album steeped in music that takes us on a legendary odyssey through powerful riffs and dulcet melodies that open up enchanted and breathtaking landscapes where we witness heroic deeds and titanic feats of noble paladins grappling with dragons, sorcerers and other creatures linked to the cosmology of fantasy narration: an unparalleled, fabulous and magnificent work! Absolutely to throw an ear into!"
(Metalwave IT)

16 / 20
➤ "… the new member Mattia Fagiolo delivers a performance that will please those who prefer singers who are not only in the high notes … guitar lovers will find many typically neo-classical solos … I was pleasantly surprised and believe that any Power Metal lover will be more than thrilled …"
(French Metal)

7,5 / 10
➤ "... a successful rebirth ... melodies are by no means presented too briefly ... quite racy in places ... pull out all the stops ..."
(Crossfire)

7,5 / 10
➤ "... finally again a work full of fast, European Power Metal and then also from one of the mother countries of this genre, Italy ... naturally I like the speedy Power Metal stompers like `Kingdom Of The Ghosts' or `Into The Warrior's Mind' best, but DRAGONHAMMER also know how to integrate now and then skillfully epic and symphonic elements into their sound ... well-dosed synths, great vocals ... choirs and a pinch of pathos ... majestic-hymnal ... best, coherent and entertaining Power Metal entertainment ..."
(Obliveon)

7,5 / 10
➤ "... preference for high-speed anthems with plenty of double bass ... lightning fingers ... broad-based choruses ... the whole thing does not seem as overloaded as with Rhapsody, because the synth debauchery is kept within limits and fits comfortably into the overall structure ... epic ... everything is performed very catchy and ear-pleasing, but without crossing the border to sugar shock ... DRAGONHAMMER have found their own band style for themselves in certain ways ..."
(Hellfire)

7,5 / 10
➤ "… Power Metal, arrangements full of ideas, orchestrations, pathos and a lot of passion … yes, perhaps the 'second life' of DRAGONHAMMER starts here and I must admit in the best way …"
(TuttoRock)

70 / 100
➤ "... Mattia Fagiolo, their new vocalist, brings a whole different energy to Dragonhammer ... still fast, double-headed ... great melodies ... a must for any Power Metal collection ..."
(Metal Archives)

7 / 10
➤ "... approaches the sounds typical of Rhapsody - and in general of the great tradition of Symphonic Metal of the 90s - without, of course, forgetting the ballads ... a journey, yes, into the clichés of the genre, but realised with all care and attention, also thanks to the excellent work of Marco 'Cinghio' Mastrobuono in the studio, who has brought this 'Second Life' straight to the point ... true resurrection of a band ... a good album ... written with care and passion ..."
(MetalItalia)

7 / 10
➤ "... they're really steaming ... the guys are very talented ... the singer has a voice in some areas that many others don't have. Also the drummer has to be attested the very best quality. From the beginning to the end he shows no fatigue, stands out positively with consistently good drumming. Once I've said it, I don't want to forget the performance on the guitars ... the excellent cover artwork speaks in favour of vinyl, which would then really come into its own ... recommendable for Power Metal fans."
(Bleeding4Metal)

7 / 10
➤ "... like a mix of early Rhapsody Of Fire and Hammerfall ... sharp and precise drumming ... anthemic ... takes us back to the typical 90s Power Metal that made bands like Stratovarius great ... really enjoyable to listen to ... a welcome return, with a very good record."
(GiornaleMetal IT)

3,5 / 5 - great
➤ "… deserve to be more well known. They can write on the same level as big name bands - even better in some cases. Lots of bands peeter out and resort to Eurovision Metal, but such is not the case here. DRAGONHAMMER know exactly who they are and how to present themselves professionally within their cheesy, yet effective motifs … if you come across this album don’t skip it … it’s at the very least a great one-time listen, though it deserves another listen to let the songs sink in …"
(Sputnik Music)

3,5 / 5
➤ "… the catchiness has definitely improved, then there is the focus on melodies, thanks to clever guitar and keyboard solos and many epic choruses … the drums are very crisp … the new singer Mattia Fagiolo is much better suited to Power Metal than his predecessor … this 'Second life' constitutes a sort of rebirth of DRAGONHAMMER; now all that remains is to continue on this road and improve even more, since the qualities and talent are not lacking!"
(All Around Metal)

4 / 6
➤ "The songs sound dynamic and at the same time are structured and easy to memorize ... have the potential to immediately appeal to followers of the genre ..."
(Heavy Metal Pages)

➤ "… more powerful, more epic and more symphonic than ever …"
(Metal Utopia)

➤ "… Giulio Cattivera‘s keyboard orchestrations are always on point, and never cheesy, whilst the engine room – piston-legged drummer Marco Berrettoni and bass-playing pal Gae Amodio – play their part unobtrusively but with deathless precision … cinematic … if your’e a fan of this kind of music then there’s very little here that you won’t enjoy …"
(Sentinel Daily)

➤ "… an album that opens new horizons for the future of the band and wants to be the basis of this new identity that the band wants to adopt. So you will definitely get to listen to an explosive mix of Power and Epic Metal with great symphonic parts …"
(LifeSteps GR)

➤ "... there is no lack of energy here ... fast and melodic riffs, clean and high vocals, catchy and epic themes, etc. ... fans of the style will be well entertained ..."
(HellHeaven)

➤ "… more epic, more symphonic, and more… well, everything … delivers 11 bangers crammed to the rafters with all the speed, gallantry and majesty anyone would very much hope to get barraged with when faced with an album cover that features bearded dudes throwing down against an immense black dragon … pretty much a win from most every angle, but new vocalist Mattia Fagiolo is the definitely the not-so-secret weapon delivering the death blow that vaults things over the edge … if you like the idea of kicking your day into full gear with a more raw form of Rhapsody, you will definitely find a very willing and well-armed companion with this record …"
(Last Rites)

➤ "… another brilliant and beautifully crafted dose of Power Metal as only boot-shaped land can achieve (well, maybe they don't use the symphonic pageantry that since Skylark and Rhapsody gets used to it there, but they develop their art very well, let no one doubt it) …  recommendable …"
(The Dark Melody)

➤ "... a beautiful Power Prog Metal album, where all the human emotions were not lacking ..."
(Tempi Duri)

➤ "… an epic journey that will make you sing along from beginning to end … with a great melodic structure, brutal riffs, a dynamic and versatile base … impressive vocals …"
(Metal Pedia)

➤ "… vocals are good … very tasteful … the orchestration and the arrangements on this album are absolutely killer and worth a listen alone … songwriting is really top-notch … the years of practice and maturity really shine through … quite long at 54 minutes, but it never feels like it drags or stumbles and the runtime goes by very quickly … DRAGONHAMMER have really put together a good album and if you’re someone who appreciates Power Metal, then I highly recommend you give this one a listen …"
(BloodFireJeff)

➤ "… everything fans would expect from a Power Metal band … it’s strong, it’s emotional, it’s full of details … bottomline, it’s perfect …"
(Metal Addicts)

➤ "… Italian magic … take the baton from their predecessors in Power Metal … a sublime album … an anthology of the good arts of power at the service of music and the world … what für guitars and vocals! … superior vocalist … great …"
(Nada Hay Bajo El Sol)

➤ "… DRAGONHAMMER makes up for it with a lot of substance in the compositions. Welcome back!"
(Metal Shock IT)

➤ "... with all the typical elements of Italian Power Metal, keyboards and orchestrations, double bass drum, epic choruses and good guitars ... what they do, they do well ..."
(Heavy Metal Brigade)

➤ "... triumphant ... poignant and at the same time powerful melodic lines ... masterful interpretation of the singer ... really is very enveloping ... a true dive into the power metal of the golden years: fast, powerful tracks, but also full of epicism and pathos ... the fantastic universe of DRAGONHAMMER ... a precious work, a testimony of how to reinvent yourself and still stay true to yourself ..."
(Italia Di Metallo)

➤ "... everything is cleaner and faster, with neoclassical interludes ... can make lovers of the genre happy, both old school and those who want to approach the genre today without starting with the usual holy monsters ..."
(Metallus IT)

➤ "… a majestic swagger of Melodic Power Metal with bursts of speed and passages of highly cinematic mastery …"
(Frenzy Fire)

➤ "… they have done a huge leap in quality, really! Not just in the orchestrations, already incredible. In this style is quite difficult achieving such a result without being banal, but DRAGONHAMMER did it. Nice shot guys!"
(Frank Horsemen)

➤ "...they excite us ... sounds like a find ... a turning point for DRAGONHAMMER ..."
(Metal Alliance Mag)

➤ "After more than 20 year history, DRAGONHAMMER can rightly consider themselves among the pillars of Italian Power Metal … with stuff for a movie soundtrack … grand and powerful … another great work to their already prodigious discography … doesn't offer a single weak song and convinces with individual highlights …"
(Roxx 2 Metal)

➤ "… one of the standout collectives of the legendary Italian Melodic Power Metal scene … with their new album DRAGONHAMMER has unveiled a stunning new chapter to their music, and its symphonic reveries are well worth seeking out …"
(Highwire Daze Online)

➤ "Superbly played, perfectly produced, masterfully executed ... the production is very powerful ... the sound is compact and majestic ... the guitar work is truly remarkable ... a truly perfect work, with no slips, no blemishes at all ..."
(Tempi Dispari)



[ Monogram: Dario Petrilli ]

"Second Life" is an album that incorporates all the stylistic characteristics of DRAGONHAMMER but evolves them with a fresher sound and a more advanced songwriting. It is a Power Metal album that, compared to the past, has a strong symphonic character and new vocal styles. The production was entrusted to the Kick Recording Studio in Rome (Italy).

About the lyrics, "Second Life" tells a timeless story, where the thoughts and feelings of the men of yesterday flow to the present day. A story that, song by song, tells the evolution of a character from the past, delivering to the listener a set of experiences and considerations. The key message is the one of the band's literally "Second Life":
a moment in which they are granted a second chance and become aware of what is really important!

📢 𝗣𝗥 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 • 𝐸𝓈𝓉. 2001
🌟 Frequently 5-star rated
🌐 Intl. synergies w. print, online & broadcast

⫸ Many years of extensive and in-depth experience in various musical fields form the basis for individual and efficient services.

⫸ In addition to communications for global Public Relations, the main areas of activity are integrated Promotion Campaigns, as well as Marketing, Artist Management, Consulting and Mentoring.

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