Dungeon - Rising Power


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Metal Warriors
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 44:06:00

Rising Power is the first official compilation album from Aussie power band Dungeon, celebrating the recent release of A Rise To Power (2003). It is additionally dedicated to their Japanese fans, who were graced with a tour soon before it was due to [be] released. Rising Power comprises of a number of re-recordings of some of their best songs to date; also included are several covers, and a bonus video section.

Once again, Dungeon has floored me with the sheer power and energy of their work, even though much of this album is stuff I've heard before. It's great to hear alternate versions of familiar work with extra bits added in to look out for. I definitely approve of the songs chosen for this compilation - all very quality tracks, particularly "Resurrection" and "Lost In The Light," two of my favourite Dungeon songs to date.

For those who are unfamiliar with their work, Rising Power would be a useful introduction to this fantastic power band, providing excellent samples from all their albums so far. For established fans, definitely check it out! As well as the familiar tracks, there are some intriguing covers included with this release. I have to say that Lord Tim (lead vocals, guitar) makes a marvellous Deborah Harry in Blondie's "Call Me," a re-recording of a cover which also appears on their rare debut Demolition (1996). The inclusion of Toto's "Hold The Line" was also a definite eyebrow raiser, the well known pop-rock song given a power metal edge that is a thing of true beauty. I think all pop should be exposed to a generous dash of power metal every now and again; don't you agree?

If you do get your hands on Rising Power, make sure you pop the disc into your PC to check out the video section. As well as a greeting from the members of the band (again, useful if one is unfamiliar with them), it contains a video clip of "The Other Side," one of the tracks from A Rise To Power - a great addition, though its theme is a tad unhappy. The clip follows the story of the apparently meteoric rise and dismal fall of a rock-metal star, with certain parallels drawn between his stellar beginnings and Dungeon as they are today. I can only assume (and hope) they don't intend upon going the same way.

Overall, I'd like to say thanks to Tim, Stu (guitar), Stevo (drums) and Dakk (bass), for this altogether nifty gift to their fans - the Japanese fans in particular, I suppose, but why should they get all the fun? Top stuff.

PPO also has a review of the full album, A Rise to Power, which goes with this compilation. Remember to check that out in our database as well. ['Course, it now at PW instead; found here -ed.]

Similar to: Blind Guardian, Angra, Helloween

[This review originally appeared June 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Insanity's Fall (video edit) / Lost In The Light / Resurrection (re-recorded) / No Way Out (remix) / Paradise (re-recorded) / Call Me (Blondie, remix) / Wild Child (WASP) / Hold The Line (Toto) / Caught Somewhere In Time (Iron Maiden) (plus video of "The Other Side")

Musicians:
Lord Tim - vocals, guitars, keyboards
Stevo - drums, backing vocals
Dakk - bass, backing vocals
Stu - guitar, backing vocals Guests:

Dale Corney - additional guitar solos
Kylie Groom - flute
Angel-Lee Smit - voices
Alison Amos - voices

Discography:
Changing Moods (promo) (1995)
Demolition (1996) (Japan only, oop)
Resurrection (1999) (oop)
A Rise To Power (2003)
Rising Power (2003) (ltd ed., AU, NZ, JP only)
Under The Rising Sun (CD + DVD) (2004)
One Step Beyond (2004/2005)
Resurrection (re-recorded) (2005)
The Final Chapter (2006)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin AU

Added: December 12th 2004
Reviewer: Karyn Hamilton
Score:
Artist website: www.dungeon.cd/
Hits: 2989
Language: english

  

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