DRAGONSCLAW is the name one of the first bands Giles Lavery co-formed with Ben Thomas in 2010, while still residing in Sydney, Australia. Their debut album »Prophecy« was quickly recorded in 2011, followed by »Judgement Day« (2013). And now, a record breaking twelve years later, it’s time for the follow-up.
Apart from Giles Lavery on vocals, »Moving Target« features Australian citizens Ben Thomas (guitars) and Aaron Thomas (bass) as well Warlord members Mark Zonder (drums) and Jimmy Waldo (keyboards).
“For me the direction on »Moving Target« was intended to be if Judas Priest had made an album somewhere in 1985 between »Defenders Of The Faith« and »Turbo«,” describes the vocalist the sound of the new DRAGONSCLAW album, “with some of the second Fifth Angel album in there too.”
Keyboards are prominently featured on »Moving Target«, which was actually the original plan of the band: “I think for this album the keyboards are very important, they create the needed atmosphere and drama. I would say that we used them in a similar way that Virgin Steele did on »Age Of Consent«, namely to build atmosphere. I really like that haunting effect keyboards can have when used right. Like Tony Banks from Genesis does, or Tony Carey on his Planet P Project albums ... Jimmy Waldo is one of those guys too.”
Probably the fastest and most upbeat number on »Moving Target« is called “Shadowfire”. And it comes with a surprise: “’Shadowfire’ reminded me of a current-day Riot song, so I asked Todd Michael Hall to sing on it with me, and he was kind enough to do so!”
“(Tell Me) All Your Lies”, on the other hand, another standout track on »Moving Target«, is quite an accessible composition, possibly the catchiest tune on »Moving Target«. It’s got a bit of that “Wasted Years” Maiden-vibe, following the Adrian Smith school of songwriting. “I am glad you noticed that,” laughs the singer. “As I heard that too ... Co-producer Thomas Mergler was largely responsible for helping to finish that song up as it wasn't quite right and he added some very good ideas to it.”
With the band on fire and Giles Lavery, the singer, coming across as a blend of Michael Kiske, Geoff Tate and Ronnie James Dio, »Moving Target« has every chance to become a modern-day heavy metal classic.
TRACKLISTING:
01 The Road Beneath Your Wheels
02 Survival
03 Cry Wolf
04 Don't Break the Silence again
05 Back on the Streets
06 Ghost Soldiers
07 Shadowfire
08 (Tell me) All Your Lies
09 Raise Your Fist
LINE-UP:
Giles Lavery - Vocals
Ben Thomas - Guitar
Aaron Thomas - Bass
Jimmy Waldo - Keys
Mark Zonder - Drums
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