Dragonland - The Battle Of The Ivory Plains (2001)

I'm not saying all power metal albums (or any albums) have to have breathtakingly floating melodies throughout to be good, although it's great when they do. But I still think there should be a bit more than some bands produce, like this debut from Swedish group Dragonland (a couple of years before DragonForce were to storm the stage).
All members are undeniably skilful in their playing, which comes through best when they have their lightning fast moments, and they have a very impressive vocalist (unusually, it's the drummer, Jonas Heidgert) as they start their "Dragonland Chronicles". But what they play just isn't very interesting. However, points must be added for the amusing playing of a brief Bach piece, with keyboardist Elias Holmlid taking the breath away as he runs up and down the ivories (or whatever is used for such instruments these days).
This is the kind of record that frustrates me, one that has a lot of the elements of first rate power metal, but misses out because of ordinary material.

**1/2