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III

    
       
       
       
     
             
Dexter Ward are a Greek/Italian based heavy metal band formed in 2009 by ex Battleroar members Mark Dexter (vocals) and Manolis "Barazza" Karazeris, releasing their debut album 'Neon Lights' in 2011. The bands second album 'Rendezvous With Destiny' was released in 2016, with their third album simply entitled 'III' a 2020 release.    
             
Featuring a sound inspired by the eighties traditional metal sound pioneered by such bands as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Saxon - Dexter Ward also incorporate a heavy influence from the American power metal sound, and then add some of their own European flair into the mix. The result is a very heavy blend of styles that will appeal to metal fans all around the globe, and place Dexter Ward at the forefront of the epic metal genre. Featuring eight songs across forty five minutes, 'III' kicks off with the blistering power metal gallop of 'Return Of The Blades'. Immediately into its stride, 'Return Of The Blades' will bang heads, stamp feet, and raise fists high in the air. A belter of an opener, highly energetic and overly bombastic, the album powers on with the more traditional metal sounding 'Soldiers Of Light'. A guitar buzz sound paying homage to the iconic NWOBHM sound, 'Soldiers Of Light' is a fairly melodic rocker that swings from fast paced to mid paced in the blink of an eye...    
             
...with 'In The Days Of Epic Metal' a six minutes plus, err, epic metal anthem. A mellow opening that builds to a crescendo, 'In The Days Of Epic Metal' is a mid paced melodic monster that just keeps rolling and rolling, eventually becoming a fast paced head banger. 'The Eyes Of Merlin' is another six minutes plus offering, full of atmosphere and tension as it begins. Firmly stood in the epic metal genre, 'The Eyes Of Merlin' is a majestic march, plodding along with thunderous riffing and a huge melodic edge. Bringing back the out and out pace of traditional heavy metal, 'Conan The Barbarian' is full on "foot on the monitor" head bang able heaven...    
             
...which is what the early eighties was like for the evolution of heavy metal, and in particular the NWOBHM. I am so glad I was a part of it, growing up as a teenager during the most important part of heavy metal history, where the classic sound of traditional heavy metal was cemented to memory. A memory that has now been reinvigorated with 'The Dragon Of The Mist' a sound-alike to those glorious days all those years ago. The sound, the feel, the vibe - they're all there... 'Reign Of The White Knight' picks up the pace and scurries forward with intent and purpose. Head bang able to the max, 'Reign Of The White Knight' is a cracking heavy metal gallop. And to the albums final hurrah, the seven minutes plus showstopper 'The Demonslayer'. This song has everything - atmosphere, tension, mid and fast paced sections, and a chant style chorus to be screeched and screamed as loud as possible.    
             
Overall, a highly anthemic journey of epic and glory genre defining heavy metal, catchy and infectious and a recommended addition to any collection.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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