International (Canada/ US/ Australia) act Dragoncorpse, has garnered quite a bit of on line hype with their take on deathcore meets power metal and anime (self-described power core), with three rip-roaring singles,  as well as a rather amusing online presence full of memes and self-deprecating humor. Well, now it’s time to see if the hype holds up to what has been teased, (finally) with a 5 song (and 4  interludes) self-released EP.

The premise of Dragoncorpse is a melding of standard deathcore with all its tropes- breakdowns, dual vocals etc , but with a heavy dose of power metal symphonics (courtesy of Dale Urban from solid symphonic tech-death outfit Mortem Obscuram) and grandiosity and notably soaring power metal vocals from Mardy Leith, who is also responsible for the band’s considerably entertaining online presence.

Now, the three killer singles they already released, “From The Sky”,”Terror Eternal”  and “Blood and Stone”, are the clear centerpieces of this 9-track saga, with “From the Sky” being the best and most indicative display of the band’s style with its fierce pace, epic chorus and anime driven video below.  When it is rendered this effectively, it’s gleefully fun as all get out. Leith has an impressive set of pipes, and honestly could front any number of power metal band’s alone. His growls are also powerful and commanding.

The other two singles are solid,  with the urgent “Blood and Stone” and more restrained “Terror Eternal” (with Dragonland’s Jesse Lindskog) delivering on the promise of the band’s ambitious premise, and despite the band’s online presence, being impressively serious, with no hint of being a joke or gimmick band.

So that leaves basically 2 other songs on the EP that are ‘new’; Opener “Sunlover” (with Brojob’s Jacob Wallace), which is the EPs other highlight along with “From the Sky”, and has a glorious, swaying little chorus. Then there is closer “Undying”, a slightly more contemplative track to end the EPs story.

The only downside for me is the 4 interludes, which deliver a growled spoken voice from Leith narrating the EP’s fantasy/dragon-based saga over some orchestration, and it misses a little. I think time would have been better spent delivering another new song or two.

However, there is no denying Dragoncorpse is onto something and certainly, a lot more than a gimmick act with little musical merit (I’m looking at you Brojob) considering the chops often on display in both genres they are playing here.

[Visit the band's website]

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