THE BEAST

ROYAL HUNT – “DYSTOPIA. PART 2” - Reviewed by Obliveon ! Check it out here at this link: https://obliveon.de/review/royal-hunt-dystopia-part-2/

With “Dystopia Part 2” the Danish Prog/Melodic/Power Metallers ROYAL HUNT add the incredible sixteenth disc almost two years after the first part of their discography.

Thematically, there is the continuation of the musical interpretation of Ray Bradbury's classic novel "Fahrenheit 451", which began in the first part. And so the instrumental thread is taken up again, because the intro 'Midway (Resumption)' is an adaptation of the "Dystopia" closing track of the same name.

This is followed by the symphonic Prog/Power Metal cracker `Throne In My Heart´ and the first guest appearances of the Danish singers Alexandra Andersen and Kenny Lubcke as well as the darkly tinged `The Key Of Insanity´, with the fronters DC Cooper and Mats Leven (Vandenberg) share the vocals, straight into the full.

The nine pieces deliver quotations from band classics and "Dystopia - Part 1", symphonic and intricate passages as well as energetic electronic sequences ('Live Another Day'), which sometimes gives the feeling that the whole thing can be too loaded, complicated and cerebral for many a listener appear.

On the other hand, you can also enjoy the great songs easily and without any "training". With 'One More Shot', three singers, Henrick Brockman, Mark Boals (Shining Black, Ring Of Fire) and DC Cooper, have a high-class rendezvous before the fourteen-minute, two-part 'Scream of Anger' is the longest, most complex and most varied piece of the record follows.

Both the first part 'Hit And Run', an expansive instrumental, and part two 'The Thrill Of The Chase', which is determined by the duet between DC Cooper and Kenny Lubcke, shine with brilliant musicality, enormous dynamics and top-class songwriting.

Since the subsequent power ballad `Left In The Wind´ is more than convincing, it is actually a mystery why this band, after more than 30 years of existence and some fantastic records, does not receive more attention and success.

Because the really only point of criticism is the playful concept, which is overloaded with ideas and reminiscences. On the other hand, the band shows great talent for coherent, catchy, varied, entertaining fare, which, however, appeals to the brain rather than to the heart, purely musically viewed but served on the top shelf.

Michael Gaspar awards 8 out of 10 points - Obliveon

Release Date: OCTOBER 28TH, 2022

FFO: Blind Guardian, Savatage, Helloween

VIA NORTHPOINT PRODUCTIONS (EU/N & S AMERICA).

Order the CD in music stores or at royalhunt.com

ROYAL HUNT released their new studio album – “Dystopia. Part 2” – on October 26th via King Records  (Japan/SE Asia) and on October 28th via NorthPoint Productions (EU/N & S America). The second and final  part of the concept features guest performers: Mats Leven (TSO, Skyblood, Vandenberg), Mark Boals (Y.J. Malmsteen, Ring of Fire, Royal Hunt), Henrik Brockman (Royal Hunt, Evil Masquerade, N ́Tribe), Kenny  Lubcke (Narita, Zoser Mez) and Alexandra Andersen (Royal Hunt, JSP). “Dystopia – Part 2” is available in  following formats: regular CD, various Deluxe editions/bundles and a gatefold, heavy vinyl double LP  (availability date pending). ROYAL HUNT keep expanding their trademark sound and, as the story which  inspired the project - Ray Bradbury ́s classic novel “Fahrenheit 451” – gets more intense towards the end, the  music turns into more dynamic, heavier direction. Once again the guest singers add even more dramatic contrasts to an already cinematic yet solidly rocking soundscape. Simply a “must have” for any symfo/prog /power fan out there!

Check out the new video!

Tracklist :

1. MIDWAY (RESUMPTION)
2. THORN IN MY HEART
3. THE KEY OF INSANITY
4. LIVE ANOTHER DAY
5. THE PURGE
6. ONE MORE SHOT
7. SCREAM OF ANGER
a) Hit and Run b) The Thrill of the Chase
8. LEFT IN THE WIND
9. RESURRECTION F451

The entire opus is just one minute shy of an hour: 58:57:17

MESSAGE FROM THE BAND: “Thinking back to the release date of the “Part 1” back in 2020 makes you realize what a crazy time we all went through just during the last two years: who could have imagined that our “Dystopia” – project would reflect the harsh reality in such detail? And the madness is still ongoing. In any case, “Dystopia – Part 2” is even more relevant today than ever: we followed the general concept yet filled it up with images of current events in order to make it resonate with every person, everybody living through 2020 to 2022 and watching insanity to unfold in real time”.

Bio: Royal Hunt is a power / progressive metal band from Denmark. The name Royal Hunt appeared for the first time in 1989; a brainchild of André Andersen (main songwriter in the band) this outfit was created in order to combine basic values of Classic Rock with progressive, current musical elements. Today, after selling around 1.8 million albums and touring the world numerous times, the band is still going strong.

Band:
André Andersen – keyboards
DC Cooper – vocals
Andreas Passmark – bass
Jonas Larsen – guitars
Andreas HABO Johansson – drums

Connect with ROYAL HUNT:
Webste https://royalhunt.com/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2CzAMm46coQpauDZj4a4ic
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/royalhuntband
iTunes https://music.apple.com/us/album/dystopia/1543161212
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/royalhunt_official
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/royalhunt
Twitter https://twitter.com/royalhuntband

Previous album:
Dystopia - Part 1. (2020)
15th Studio Album by Royal Hunt

“DYSTOPIA - PART 1” was released on December 16th, 2020 via King Records (Japan/SE Asia) and on January 15th via NorthPoint Productions (Europe/N & S America). A concept album offering a considerable expansion of the band ́s trademark sound and featuring performances by guest vocalists: Mats Leven  (Candlemass, TSO, Skyblood), Mark Boals (Y.J. Malmsteen, Ring of Fire), Henrik Brockmann (Royal Hunt, Evil Masquerade, N ́Tribe), Kenny Lubcke (Narita, Zoser Mez) and Alexandra Andersen (Royal Hunt, JSP). “Dystopia - Part 1” is available on ALL digital platforms (as MP3, FLAC), and as a regular CD (jewel case), various deluxe editions / bundles and a double heavy vinyl LP.

Spotify: http://bit.ly/dystopia-spotify
iTunes: http://bit.ly/dystopia-itunes
YouTube: http://bit.ly/dystopia-youtube
Amazon: http://bit.ly/dystopia-amazon