If the absurd title doesn’t give it away, “Part
Man, Part Beast, Part Dragon” is the ridiculously over the top symphonic power
metal release from UK band Grimgotts. Drawing influence from similarly comedic
bands like Twilight Force and Alestorm, Grimgotts plays a style of music that
mixes solid power metal with more light-hearted moments. Of the two
aforementioned bands, they lean much more towards Twilight Force, both in sound
and execution. When Grimgotts is truly rolling, such as on “Struck By Fire”,
they embrace a high-flying, Rhapsody-inspired power metal sound. Though their
vocalist isn’t the most operatic, he has more than enough charisma to carry the
band. It might be an exaggeration to say he soars over the rolling double bass
and triumphant keyboards, but he definitely isn’t struggling. This opening
track is by far the highlight on an otherwise confused EP.
Where the Twilight Force comparison really
hits home is in the other 4 songs on this release. Much like the Swedes,
Grimgotts sometimes loses the plot when they abandon metal (or when they hang
on the edge of it). The bouncy folk track “The Everlasting Kingdom” is a true
head-scratcher, while “Close To Home” strays even further from metal. “The Edge
of the World (The Voyage to Vale)” brings the band a bit closer back to
reality, but ultimately can’t salvage the release despite a soothing, melodic chorus. The closing track, "Follow Me", is another unexciting semi-metal tune. All in all, there’s really
only one worthwhile song on “Part Man, Part Beast, Part Dragon”. While it is a
good track, it is one in a legion of Rhapsody clones, with the only slight
differentiator being the band’s cartoony vocalist. This doesn’t make Grimgotts’
third EP completely skippable, but it won’t set the world afire. Comedy is
great, but let’s keep it metal.
Highlight
"Struck By Fire"
Final Rating
3.0/5 or 60%.
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