KeyDragon: new “Mythical”
CD keeps mystique alive
Posted by
Rob Swick on September 23, 2010
Recent goth-metal release flames on with vision, range and
expertise
The enigmatic entity known as the KeyDragon – a gothic-metal
manifestation which has dwelt for years in the gold-country region
of Grass Valley, California – emerges from its mountain lair once
again to breathe forth a fiery musical offering entitled “Mythical.”
Written and arranged by dragon-centric keyboardist Ron Langford, the
disk celebrates, as do all KeyDragon releases, the heritage and role
of the dragon in human lore and culture around the globe. Recorded
at KeyDragon Studios in Nevada County by Ron and a powerful posse of
players, the “Mythical” CD was released in mid-August, and is now
available through various sources, including CD Baby. On this eighth
KeyDragon compilation, the angelic voice of Tamara Venus Star once
again provides a harmonious foil for Ron’s raging fulminations,
while additional “dragon vocals” are furnished by Jake DeMarco.
Holly Rains returns on drums and percussion, Andrew Grant plays
bass, and guitar duties are credited this time to Roger Rains, with
additional six-string support coming from Ben Blackmon on a couple
of tracks.
“Mythical” delivers a full-value clutch of 14 tracks, and it
could come as a surprise to those familiar with the band that this
eighth KeyDragon CD opens with a song which is not specifically
about the incendiary reptiles that are so near and dear to Ron
Langford’s heart. Entitled “Happy Face,” the disk’s first ditty
commences with Tamara gently encouraging the listener to “take a
deep breath … relax … and put on a happy face,” after which Ron
stirs things up with his accustomed aggro approach, on top of a
Primus-like sonic salad. The band then takes off for more familiar
territory, first to find the Dragon of Borneo in the
chunkily-rocking “Kinabalu,” and then to meet the “Ethiopian
Dragon” in a song that features both cool synthesizers from Ron and
sweet, Celtic-sounding melodies from Tamara. And next, surprise,
comes “Do You Ever Feel Like?” – another song that doesn’t mention
dragons by name, and which might remind one a little, at the outset,
of Megadeth’s “Sweating Bullets.” Yet as Ron explores the theme of
frustration, yelling about “smashing all around, stomping on the
ground,” one sees that while dragons are not actually identified in
the lyrics, Ron’s expressions of aggravation could still be
interpreted as reptilian roars of wrath. Next, it’s off to Japan for
“The Legend of Yofune-Nushi,” which features clever instrumental
interplay as a foundation for the story of an equal-opportunity
heroine: a devoted daughter who slays a dragon and rescues a dad.
The journey continues to ancient Greece – in its mythical days of
yore! – for the thrash-toned tale of “Typhon,” the gigantic, coiled,
god-battling beast who met his doom beneath Mount Aetna.
In another break from dreams of dragon-fire, a song called “So
Fragile” gives the listener a prime example of the contrast between
Ron and Tamara, who perform in a complementary yin-and-yang duality.
Like “Typhon” before it, and many other KeyDragon compositions, the
piece operates in dramatic point-counterpoint fashion, with Ron
roaring in rage while Tamara tenderly intones, sometimes separately,
sometimes simultaneously.
“A Stay in the Waters Kingdom” takes a look at a vintage remnant
of French folklore, recounting the saga of a mighty, magical
creature named Drac. Coming home to the New World, Ron and his
musical minions unfurl three Native American dragon-tales this time
around, ranging all the way from “Nanabozho,” taking place near Lake
Superior, out to “Coyote and the Dragon” in the Pacific Northwest,
and down to the Hopi Nation, in the Southwest domain of “Palulukon,”
a great feathered serpent. The construction of “Palulukon” is based
simply on an appealing piano foundation and a straightforward vocal
delivery from Tamara, and the song is endearingly melodic and
charming, as well as brief, clocking in at just over two minutes in
length. “Coyote and the Dragon,” on the other hand, goes longer and
louder, containing busy, progressive riffs that are partly due to
guest-work by Ben Blackmon, while “Nanabozho” is highlighted by
metallic influences that range from Maiden to Leppard to BÖC. Moving
on, “The Wave Rider” is another thrasher that isn’t about dragons,
nor is “Whose Life Is It?”, which charges out strong and heavy with
a potent bass and drum impact, propelling a simple riff that soon
combines with creative changes to keep things interesting. And the
disk closes with “Rustam,” the story of a great hero from Persian
folklore, who gained fame by vanquishing a fearsome dragon foe. Fans
should be glad to find that the CD sleeve contains the lyrics – but
be forewarned, some tiny type was used to fit all the words into a
two-page spread.
As in previous KeyDragon releases, Ron sounds, like many
death-metal vocalists, as though he gargles with Drano, and this
approach produces a tone that’s appropriate for one who seeks to
emulate the dragon’s roar, evoking its fierce majesty. Ron’s guiding
vision is singular and strong, and his musical choices remain his
own, as he steadily avoids the sort of obvious, gratuitous cultural
tie-ins that might appeal to others (no Chinese “Chopsticks,” Native
tom-toms, or French can-cans, for instance). Ron provides his own
punchy progressions and lyrical melodies, and brings them to life
with great musicianship and production, ensuring that “Mythical” is
as expertly realized as it was ambitiously imagined. Holly’s precise
drumwork is outstanding throughout the entire compilation, while
Roger’s tight guitar phrasing and choppy chords team well with Ron’s
keys and Andrew’s bass, filling the dragon’s cavern with imposing
sound. While “Mythical” might not be to the taste of all ears all
the way through, the disk does contain much to please a wide range
of aficionados. KeyDragon, the goth-metal dragon from Northern
California, pours fire once more, inviting rockers far and wide to
heed the clamor and partake of the “Mythical” CD – a distinctive
musical expression that roars, up and down the scales, for attention
and respect.
www.keydragon.com
www.myspace.com/keydragon
www.cdbaby.com/keydragon
www.numberonemusic.com/keydragon
