Back in May 1999, as the popular German act Stormwitch temporarily ended their existence, drummer Peter Langer and guitarist Damir Uzunovic decided to start a new band named Arkana. However, by the time they released their first demo called The Armada in 2000, the name Arkana had already been transformed into The Armada. After singer Dirk Schäffner joined the lineup in 2001 the band was finally ready to record their debut album Rage Of The Armada.

Not really knowing what to expect I sat down and listened to the album. Behold, The Armada plays technical symphonic metal with neoclassical touches that strongly reminds of older Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force albums. This is a pleasant surprise indeed. While Yngwie spends most of his time playing guitar solos and leads, The Armada concentrates more on song structuring and with great success I might add. Songs like “Devilish Lolita” and “Rage Of The Armada” consist of powerful shredding metal riffs combined with melodic neoclassical interludes.

Singer Schäffner is truly phenomenal as his rough vocals cut a path through the music like a knife through butter and at times even remind me of Jeff Scott Soto, albeit a rougher and more powerful version.

Although The Armada might not play anything new, it is certainly refreshing to hear this powerful metal mixture, I would like to call a heavier and more song oriented version of Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force. Highlights of the album are the beautiful and melancholic ballad “Crimson Winter Sunrise”, the diverse “Endless Crusade” and the aforementioned “Devilish Lolita” and “Rage Of The Armada”. Two thumbs up for these ex-Stormwitch professionals! I’m looking forward to hear more from these guys in the future!