Elyna Khan
Discovering incredible bands is one of the perks of being a zine reviewer. You receive the promos in your email, put on your headphones, press play, and the journey begins. Little by little, in every note, every chord, every cut, you discover pieces of yourself. The blood begins to pump strongly to your heart, filling your chest with a comforting warmth and imbuing you with an intense, luminous energy that simply leaves you happy.
That’s what happened to me with EchoSoul and its upcoming second album, Time of the Dragon. This album should have been released a year ago, but the war in Ukraine delayed everything, as part of the final work was being done by a collaborator who lives there. EchoSoul fits the Power/Progressive genre. However, Time of the Dragon offers several pleasant surprises in terms of its overall sound. For starters, the timbre, personality, and raw power of Rob Lundgren (yes, the YouTube guy who has sung several covers already) remind me a lot of the greats Kai Hansen and Mark Basile (DGM). Brutality is also present in Guy Hinton’s voice, with intense gutturals that give depth and a malignant metal flavor to the whole album.
Musically, the entire album is a journey full of impressive and captivating nuances, with several amazing tracks. Among the highlights is “Time of the Dragon”. As soon as the first chords of this second track sound, the sharp and electrifying guitars, together with a powerful rhythmic base, masterfully connect MeloDeath with classic Gamma Ray-style power metal, although with a subtle dose of Children of Bodom, in a pleasant fusion of sounds that fills you with endearingly powerful sensations.
“Path of the Righteous“ is another brilliant, diverse track that straddles MeloDeah, Prog, and Power Metal, with an emotional intro reminiscent of Therion‘s beautiful Clavicula Nox. Melodic plot twists unfold and surprise, providing a luxurious sound experience. On the other hand, “Sister Suicide” is an electrifying, beautiful, and deeply emotional ballad that deals with the battle with depression. Musically, it features elements of power metal, glam, progressive, and even hints of ’90s rock in its melodic, rhythmic, and vocal structure. With a heartfelt vocal performance and an intense atmosphere, “Sister Suicide” makes a powerful impact and remains in the emotional memory long after the track is over.
“Instrument of Chaos” is another remarkable track. The soundscape here is quite unique thanks to the diversity of elements and influences: Power, Thrash, Tech Death, and even moments that sound like stoner and grunge, in just the right amount. “Invisible Empire” delivers a dose of vocal brutality, then combines it with clean vocals in the innovative chorus that explodes with syncopation—which again brings me back to DGM, a band I adore. This song is an exquisite listening experience, full of nuances, progressions, and diverse textures that leave you literally glued to the music, wanting to listen to it on repeat.
I confess, in any case, that it took me a long time to listen to this album. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I hadn’t had enough quality time to fully appreciate it. To properly enjoy music, I must be in my safe place (you neurodivergent guys understand me), without distractions, calm and at peace, because otherwise the music simply passes by without having a real impact on my brain and spirit.
Time of the Dragon, by the impressive EchoSoul, is one of those albums you can’t—and shouldn’t—just listen to quickly. You have to listen to it with time, calmly, and with great attention, because it has so many elements, and all so well-placed, that you won’t want to miss a single detail of its songs. Because it’s not just about writing quick words to fill an opinion column, but about truly connecting with the sonic experience that music can provide. And in this sense, EchoSoul simply nails it with Time of the Dragon, delivering a well-rounded, energetic, enigmatic, invigorating, and endearing album, full of nuances, textures, and diverse depths. So if you’re looking for an album that not only sounds spectacular but also feels like an emotional journey, Time of the Dragon deserves your careful listening—seriously, what is called CAREFUL, because you’re going to love it!
Label: No Dust Records
Release date: 15 May, 2025
Website: https://echosoulmusic.bandcamp.com/album/time-of-the-dragon
Country: USA
Score: I had to stop Elyna, but 4.5/5.0
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