Armada alternates between fast, forceful metal riffs, sometimes featuring traded solos between guitarist Damir Uzunovic and keyboardist Mathias Nagl, and dulcet neo-classical interludes. Possible influences on this band, which features two former members of Stormwitch (Uzonovic and drummer Peter Langer), include Symphony X and early Yngwie Malmsteen. Indeed, vocalist Dirk Schäffner occasionally resembles Jeff Scott Soto, Armada seems to share Malmsteem's fascination with classical composers such as Paganini ("Guiding Star" ...
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Armada alternates between fast, forceful metal riffs, sometimes featuring traded solos between guitarist Damir Uzunovic and keyboardist Mathias Nagl, and dulcet neo-classical interludes. Possible influences on this band, which features two former members of Stormwitch (Uzonovic and drummer Peter Langer), include Symphony X and early Yngwie Malmsteen. Indeed, vocalist Dirk Schäffner occasionally resembles Jeff Scott Soto, Armada seems to share Malmsteem's fascination with classical composers such as Paganini ("Guiding Star" contains a small passage from "Cappricio No. 5"), and the band definitely goes for a stately, gothic atmosphere. The lyrics fit this mood with references to soldiers of fortune, days of wrath, delivering souls from the flame, and being tormented by the darkness. The songs are generally well-constructed and the musicians don't get too carried away with endless solos. The band isn't strikingly original, but the material is generally accessible and only one cut, the ballad "Crimson Winter Sunrise," is an outright turkey. ~ Todd Kristel, Rovi
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