Savallion Dawn is a German band, from the city of Oldenburg (righto). They started out in 1999, and this is their first ‘real’ album. Previously they have released a demo-CD called Black Skies, which got pretty good comments. Reviewing this one shortly after Voice’s Soulhunter, I was, however, doubtful as to whether this would be yet another power metal disappointment. Luckily these expectations did not come true.

At first the voice of Ernesto Monteiro (who is actually a replacement of their previous singer) seemed pretty crappy, but after a couple of minutes you hear that it actually is very nice. His voice is less high-pitched as usual and, well, it just sounds different from other power/heavy metal-bands; it has more emotion in it. The lyrics however are the same old medieval, mythical, fairytale kind of stuff you find with any other band in the genre. That I find too bad, that, and the fact that in his words of thanks he says (and yes, I am splitting hairs now): “to all the elves and fates, bards and mistrells”. It was not the spelling mistake that bothered me, more the mythical BS.

The production is one of the first things you notice about Savallion Dawn’s The Charge. It sounds very good, and heavy. The atmosphere set by the production fits the music very well indeed. It kind of reminds me of Ahrcana’s ‘Into The Prophecy’.

The drums are also a factor causing my positive grading of this album. They are creative and indigenous, and lots of double-bass drums are used, which I always like. Nikolas Fritz also uses double-bass drumming for the slower songs, and that sounds very well.

Instrumentally this album is very good as well. Of course almost all power metal bands are good instrumentally, but it needs to be said. Especially, because in this case the songs consist out of very numerous riffs that all sound really good.

Overall a solid melodic power metal-album, with indigenous instrumental performances, an original vocal sound and a terrific production. I can not possibly award this album with anything less than an 8 out of 10 rating. A job well done.