Giles Lavery is
best known as the vocalist for Warlord, Alcatrazz, and Jack
Starr. Beyond his work behind the microphone, he is a seasoned band
manager, producer, and label co-owner. One of his earliest personal musical
ventures was Dragonsclaw, a band he formed
back in 2010 while living in Sydney, Australia. The band released two albums in
quick succession, “Prophecy” (2011) and “Judgement Day” (2013). Now, after a
twelve-year break, Dragonsclaw returns with
their third album, “Moving Target.”
The lineup
on “Moving Target” features Australian musicians Ben
Thomas (guitar) and Aaron Thomas (bass),
alongside two of Lavery’s bandmates from Warlord—Jimmy Waldo (keyboards)
and Mark Zonder (drums). The album has a
firm foundation in 1980s heavy metal, and Lavery describes
the direction as inspired by what Judas Priest might
have sounded like between “Defenders Of The Faith” and “Turbo,” with a hint of Fifth Angel.
At just
over 40 minutes, “Moving Target” delivers traditional metal that balances
melody with drive. The keyboards are an essential part of the sound—adding
depth without overpowering the other instruments. They serve more as
atmospheric support rather than leading the arrangements, much like how Virgin Steele approached “Age Of Consent” or the
work of Tony Carey in Planet P Project.
The guitar
work by Ben Thomas stays focused, and while
there are bursts of flair—especially in songs like “Shadowfire” and “Raise Your
Fist”—the playing serves the structure of each track. The rhythm section holds
everything together tightly, with Zonder’s
drumming adding a slightly more intricate flavor, as expected from someone with
his background.
“Shadowfire” stands out for its faster pace and guest appearance by Riot V’s Todd Michael Hall, whose voice blends well with Lavery’s, giving the song a double impact. On the more melodic side, “(Tell Me) All Your Lies” leans into an Iron Maiden-style approach, especially reminiscent of Adrian Smith’s songwriting. It’s the most accessible track here, and that’s clearly by design. The guest guitar work from Thomas Mergler helps the song feel complete and well-balanced.
Vocally, Giles Lavery is in top form. His performance
recalls classic singers like Michael Kiske and
Geoff Tate, though he adds enough of his own
touch to avoid sounding like a copy. He moves smoothly between mid-range power
and higher-pitched lines, never sounding strained or out of place.
Production-wise,
“Moving Target” sounds natural. It avoids sounding too loud or overly
processed. The mix respects the band’s roots without sounding dated. Thomas Mergler’s work behind the desk helps the
album flow from start to finish.
Each song
offers something distinct, but they all fit under the banner of traditional
heavy metal. There are no major stylistic shifts or unexpected left turns.
Instead, the album feels focused and consistent, and that’s one of its
strengths. It’s a well-structured album with tight songwriting, and fans of
80s-inspired heavy metal will find a lot to enjoy here, and definitely you’ll
have some goosebumps from all of this.
Score: 8.0
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