While Testaments frontman Chuck Billy is recovering from chemotherapy, guitarist Eric Peterson brings out the first album of his side project Dragonlord titled “Rapture”. Together with base-player Steve DiGiorgio and guitarist Steve Smith (both Testament), Ton Allen on Drums and Lyle Livingstone on keyboard, Dragonlord plays music that is similar to that of Testament, but which has a more symphonic touch. Many songs remind one of Dimmu Borgir and Cradle Of Filth, but not as bombastic and easier to listen to. The screams of Eric Peterson are not as intense as those from Dani and have a more cleanly vocal touch. As for the keyboard part, mostly church organ style but not in a “Cradle Of Filth” kind of way.

Guitar riffs and double bass drums are standard for this kind of music, really nothing new. Track number 3 “Tradition And Fire” has a catchy riff though and sticks out above the rest. Classifiable as easy to listen to black metal this can be a good album for starters in this kind of music (symphonic black/black) or a welcome addition to earlier mentioned Cradle Of Filth and Dimmu Borgir and of course a teaser for all Testament fans until the new Testament album comes out (titled: “First Strike Still Deadly”). Although short, this is an album, which can be recommended; not bad at all.