Lancer
Mastery


4.0
excellent

Review

by Ebola USER (26 Reviews)
January 15th, 2017 | 43 replies


Release Date: 2017 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Lancer expand their sound and reaffirm their status as one of power metal's most promising young bands.

Mastery is a make-or-break record for Lancer, one that could just as well propel their ascension into the upper echelon of the power metal scene as it could send them careening into the depths of obscurity. Recorded and released almost immediately following their major label deal with Nuclear Blast, it’s Lancer’s first chance to make an impression on most listeners. And, as is the case with anything in life, a band’s first impression dictates a great deal of their future successes and failures. Though I gave the band’s sophomore record, Second Storm, a glowing review a few years ago, it’s lost some of its luster in my eyes and doesn’t truly distinguish Lancer from the sizeable crop of progressive-leaning modern power metal acts. Mastery, on the other hand, is a somewhat different animal; though it’s by no means anything particularly daring or original, it marks a definite step forward in terms of songwriting and clearly showcases a greater variety of influences than the band’s usual Maiden-tinged power metal shtick.

All talk of risk or development aside, about half of this album would’ve fit snugly onto any of Lancer’s previous releases. “Dead Raising Towers” kicks things off in stellar and straightforward fashion, boasting the record’s best chorus and providing a solid foundation for the tracks that follow. Though the placement of the equally simple and somewhat unmemorable “Future Millennia” second is a questionable move, things start to get interesting once the title track rolls around. With a crushing, down-tuned main riff straight out of the Symphony X playbook and an infectious chorus, it’s the album’s best track and one of the band’s most aggressive songs to date.

Aside from the Iron Maiden-influenced galloping basslines that have always defined Lancer’s sound, I also get some serious Blind Guardian vibes from the chorus melody on "Freedom Eaters," which, as far as I’m concerned, means it must be doing at least something right. I suppose I could sit here and name-drop a few more legendary bands, but the overarching fact of the matter is that Mastery is simply a more varied, entertaining album than any of Lancer’s previous material, at least partly thanks to the influence of their forefathers. Even “World Unknown,” a dreaded power metal ballad, is surprisingly inspired and distinguishes itself as one of the record’s better tracks.

Lancer have never shied away from epic, progressive songwriting, as the outstanding “Aton” from Second Storm most clearly exemplifies, but Mastery represents an improvement in that department. Though there’s admittedly nothing quite as good as “Aton,” the progressive elements are spread throughout the entirety of the record, adding depth and memorability to even more straightforward tracks like “Widowmaker.” Just as the melodic guitar work at the tail end of that track turns a good song into a great one, the instrumental portion in the midsection of closer “Envy of the Gods” is probably the best moment the entire album has to offer. While these individual moments may seem relatively insignificant by themselves, they are but single elements of a songwriting trend that defines the album as a whole and separates it from many of Lancer’s more predictable contemporaries.

Mastery does have its share of flaws--“Future Millenia” probably should’ve been swapped with the superior “Freedom Eaters” or “Widowmaker” in the track listing and I do wish frontman Isak Stenvall, talented as he may be, would deliver a more varied performance--but it’s without a doubt one of the better power metal records I’ve heard in the last few years. Sure, as is the case with just about anything associated with the genre, it’s a bit on the cheesy side, but there’s nothing here that’s outwardly distracting or particularly lame. Much like Second Storm, Mastery avoids many of the genre's oft-ridiculed pitfalls, making for a more pleasant and balanced listening experience. It’s a stellar major label debut, one that successfully expands upon Lancer’s instrumental palette and further solidifies the Swedes as one of the scene’s rising stars.



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user ratings (19)
2.9
good


Comments:Add a Comment 
Ebola
January 15th 2017


4576 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

This is actually a lower rating than I gave their previous album a few years ago, but this one is definitely the better record as a whole.

Constructive criticism is appreciated as always. Thanks for reading!

MrSirLordGentleman
January 16th 2017


15343 Comments


Impreza>

Ebola
January 16th 2017


4576 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

What's Impreza?

MarsKid
Emeritus
January 16th 2017


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Ebola review, niiiiiiicccceeee



Might check

bloc
January 16th 2017


70694 Comments


"Impreza>"

Haha, true, but RX-7 > all

Ebola
January 16th 2017


4576 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

o now I get it

MarsKid
Emeritus
January 16th 2017


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

That took me a while too lol

BallsToTheWall
January 16th 2017


51607 Comments


This looks hot.

MarsKid
Emeritus
January 16th 2017


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

It definitely looks like a power metal album.

Ebola
January 16th 2017


4576 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

hit me up with some juicy feedback @ ghost neg guy

Voltimand
January 16th 2017


1670 Comments


That album art makes me wanna go slay some demons.

Ebola
January 17th 2017


4576 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

as any power metal cover should

Kusangii
January 17th 2017


7139 Comments


That's supposed to be Medusa right? Great review as always.

Ebola
January 17th 2017


4576 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I would assume so, yeah.

And thank you!

MarsKid
Emeritus
January 17th 2017


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Those ratings tho

Ebola
January 17th 2017


4576 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah, I guess I'm in the minority with this one. Power metal tends to be pretty divisive

Ebola
January 17th 2017


4576 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yo, can somebody tell me what the negs are for? Would love some feedback.

manosg
Emeritus
January 17th 2017


12710 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Gave this one a listen today and enjoyed it. Not sure if I liked this one the best or Second Storm but I'll know with more listens.



Enjoyed the review too, pos.





Brewtality91
January 17th 2017


666 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I really don't like power metal, but this is a well written review no doubt. I imagine the negs are from people who disagree with your rating.

Ebola
January 17th 2017


4576 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thank you!

@manosg: I didn't like it as much as Second Storm after the first listen, but it grew on me with subsequent spins.



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