Another band from Austria on Napalm Records, and again a fine album: Dignity enter the European scene with their debut album called Project Destiny (the US album release is a month later end of September).

Austrian? Well, not completely. Because four musicians from the republic in the heart of Europe, among them ex-Edenbridge drummer Roland Navratil, formed the band and composed the album, while all the time one important person was still missing: a singer. Since their Melodic Metal style stands or falls with a good singer, they took their time. Finally, after over a year, they found the person they were looking for in Sweden. Jake E., who may be known to some connoisseurs as the singer of Dreamland, was definitely worth the wait, as his melodic and powerful voice works perfectly in every song.

Starting with the fast paced title track, the band takes the listener through a series of eight original compositions which all combine the trademarks of bands like Royal Hunt, TNT, Pride Of Lions, Europe and Rainbow. At the same time, the compositions are not alike and have been arranged in an effective order to exhibit the utmost variety. In the middle of the album, the track “Icarus” in its epic approach is a bit too long, and at the end, “Inner Demons” fails to impress.

But apart from that, the other songs are quality Melodic Metal with good production and interesting riffing, strong keyboards and not too cliché melodies. Occasionally symphonic, at other times hard rocking, it is a nice album for the genre enthusiast.

For everybody else, it is a potentially good, yet everything but mandatory, purchase. Because what the album does not do is rejuvenate the genre. The songwriting is definitely good, but it is not that outstanding that Project Destiny would have to be mentioned together with TNT’s Knights Of The New Thunder, Paradox from Royal Hunt, or to name something more recent, Europe’s Start From The Dark or Pride Of Lions' self tilted debut. The album fails to leave a lasting impression, except for the final track which has not been mentioned here yet. It is a cover version of Chris DeBurgh’s “Don’t Pay The Ferryman”. While failing to give the song any new feel, and thereby making the attempt quite superfluous, that tune will remain in one’s ear longer than any of the original compositions.

Since this is a debut album, one must give the band credit for a good album with a few points open for criticism, but for having created a generally very likable CD. With time, the band will hopefully progress and write more original tunes, the potential for greatness is without a doubt audible on Project Destiny. And that should be enough to listen to a tune if one likes Melodic Metal and thereby give them a chance to entertain.

Web: www.dignityband.com