Stephen
"Dangerous Game" is the fourth album of Italian power metal act, Windrow, and after hearing many average albums from this genre this last few years, this album is a breath of fresh air. Still nothing new on the table, but the careful construction of each songs, rooted on the classic pattern of what Helloween or Gamma Ray did in the past, making this a pleasant nostalgic journey.
Honestly, based on the first three tracks, I didn't expect this album to be that good, that's probably because those tracks are totally good at best, nothing's special except on "Snake or Shark", I was in awe with Massimino's guitarworks. The extraordinary shredding and tense rhythm is inspiring and build Windrow's solid foundation. "Go On The Wind" is the first fave track of the album. The balance compositions of all instruments show the world that the whole members can play at the same level. "Dangerous Game" tuned down the tempo and flirt with Maiden riffs, the result is magnificent, and came out as the best track of the album.
"Rotten World" and "Inside An Angel" are also another highlight, with the former as the better track and check out the guitars, you're lying if you don't shake your head in amazement. A great production, the masterful guitars, the high pitch tenor vocal, the superb songwriting, everything you want in a great power metal album is here. What's lacking is, of course the originality and the songwriting variation. Spicing it up with a slight dynamic tempo and more instruments seem to be a good idea but nevertheless, this is an excellent accomplishment and strongly recommended to the fans of the genre.