I've written about Swedish musician Dan Wande before, reviewing his previous EP Way Back and compiling an interview with him that gave an intriguing insight into his musical history, his inspirations and his creative process. With the Way Back EP Dan came to establish the sound that he would move forth with, a decidedly vintage yet timeless rock sound sound that sits perfectly on the line between hard rock and heavy metal. With his latest three track EP Dragon Force, Dan has continued in this vein, but it is clear that he has an increased focus and confidence in his music that makes this his best collection of songs yet.
The opening title-track begins with a classic epic heavy metal introduction, kicking off the EP in grand style before the song takes us off into it's journey through riffs. Dan has used the same collection of musicians as on Way Back, and once again the performances are fantastic; precise and technical without being soulless and sterile. Lyrically this is a classic knights and dragons fantasy tale, and the track has the kind of progressive structure that fits with these narrative qualities. There are some really distinct moments in the track too which give it an enhanced quality: the solo just over half way through has a brilliantly abrasive atonal finish, the kind of strange harmony that Omar Rodriguez-Lopez would revel in; and there are moments in Dan's vocal lines and in the guitar riffs where he goes to a note you don't necessarily expect, and it keeps the track from being overly predictable.
Searching is a slightly darker affair, contrasting creeping chugging riffs with bright melancholic chords and razor-sharp melodies that shine through against the sinister backdrop. The track sees Dan produce one of his most forthright and assured vocal performances; he sounds utterly compelling as he repeatedly cries out “Oh I am searching” with a genuine emotion and passion. The tune itself is also his most catchy and memorable yet, and whilst it's somewhat less dramatic in tone compared to some of Dan's other songs, there is a well crafted restraint to the tune which keeps the pace and energy of the track from overpowering itself.
Tommyknockers on the other hand is a song full of drama and spectacle. Lyrically it's based on Dan's memories of the Stephen King novel of the same name, a story which Dan remembers reading as a kid and being utterly terrified by. The verses utilise a vocal line style that is half call-and-response half echo, and the choruses display a really skilful use of space and timing in the melody. The middle eight is a fantastic piece of Deep Purple style riffing complete with a haunting organ droning in the background, an organ which later on gives us a brief flurry of Keith Emerson style soloing. There is an awesome solo here too that sees the guitar and harmonica duelling each other fiercely, often in harmony but occasionally clashing in the most fantastic way - it's a genuine moment of creative mastery. The track has a brilliantly theatrical finish that feels almost cyclical to the opening movement of the EP.
Dan Wande has definitely stepped his game up Dragon Force, and considering the quality of his prior releases it makes for a really impressive set of songs. His song-writing has improved in it's structural sense and his performances are bolder and more tenacious than before. The musicians he has chosen have once again done an exceptional job of helping bringing Dan's ideas completely to life, and there is a power and intensity to the tracks which you don't always get from session musicians. I'd really like to see Dan take this confidence forward to his upcoming full-length album and really spread his musical wings out in all the directions he can. This is a song-writer whose experience and knowledge is really starting to shine, and I can only see his music getting even better in the future.
Listen to Dragon Force by Dan Wande on Spotify here
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