Band:	Dakesis
Album:	Trial By Fire
Style:	Progressive power metal
Release date:	November 2011

01. Shield Of Achilles I
02. Trial By Fire
03. Liar
04. After The Storm
05. On Wings Of Steel
06. Broken
07. Into The Light
08. Valhalla
09. To The End
10. Shield Of Achilles II
11. 440 (King Of The Road) [bonus]

In most reviews of traditional/melodic metal genres, the reviewer finds it essential to point out how the albums in question are "nothing new or original", and if they by any chance are, the word "surprisingly" must be thrown into the mix. But I won't do that anymore. This is the case with Dakesis and many others: they play a genre which spawned dozens of quality releases and was perfected in its current shape a long, long time ago - you probably won't hear anything "new" in it. And that's okay, especially if the band has some magic of its own.

I do not know if they are local favorites in the Birmingham area, but they certainly have that local band seal on them. The charm of demo tapes, little venues and big dreams deferred by lack of experience or means to make them come true is woven into the sound of any up-and-coming band, you just have to have the ears for it. If I lived in their area, I'd gladly go to their live gigs. But if the band wishes to move on the next level, some changes are required.

Some of the influences the band lists on their site show they have a strong affection for blends of heavy, prog and power metal. This is notable in guitar/keyboard exchanges - it seems the keyboardist and guitarist have listened to all of those solos by the two Michaels of Symphony X and are now eager to create some of their own magic. I'm pleased to say that it works and that the music of Dakesis while pretty much identical to every other heavy/power/symphonic band you've heard, this is full of enjoyable intros and leads. Not much prog is to be found here though, but maybe there'll be a place for it on the second album.

But things aren't as great in the vocal department. The band's lead guitarist is also their lead male vocalist, and he has trouble deciding in which style and tone he wants to sing. Unfortunately for him, the band's music relies on elaborately extravagant vocal lines. He has a lot of different sides to his voice, and some of them sound better than others (such as his classic screams), so perhaps it's just a question of taking some vocal lessons. And since his female vocal counterpart (and also the keyboardist) is a singing teacher, maybe she can take care of that - she has already managed to salvage some of the songs with her much more disciplined and warm voice.

If you're a great fan of any rock/metal music with a lot of harmony, you might enjoy this given the right occasion - maybe building a huge Lego castle with some good friends and a few beers in your system. Otherwise give it to that younger sister of yours who has despised your metal lifestyle just to annoy you, but has now developed a liking for men with long hair, hung several Victoria Frances posters in her room, and set some metal ballad as her cellphone ringtone.