Review by illusionist for Lancer - Mastery (2017)

Much better!

Mastery sounds heavier and more dynamic in production than Lancer's preceding efforts. Isak Stenvall's over-the-top vocal style still isn't always my cup of tea, but his performance is much-improved too. The instruments are tighter and more skillful. Perhaps most of all, the sophistication of Lancer's songwriting has progressed noticeably since 2013.

Sure, there is still some stereotypical chorus-centric power metal fare like "Dead Raising Towers" and a few duds like "Iscariot" and "Envy of the Gods"... but songs like "Mastery", "Follow Azrael" and "Freedom Eaters" have more interesting twists, turns and melodic complexity than I expected from the band I first heard in 2013. I'm even reminded of prime 90s Gamma Ray in places, particularly "Freedom Eaters" with its big backing chorus. There's also "World Unknown", which nicely breaks up the pace with its slow jazzy intro and funky rhythm that builds up to a quirky sing-along chorus. It doesn't sound like anything else on the album.

"Victims of the Nile" is my favorite song, with its towering chorus and passionate, vaguely-eastern-flavored melody. Lancer never reach Somewhere Out in Space levels of epicness and probably never will, but if you enjoy that type of Euro-Power, you will find some stuff to like here.

I think Lancer have a great 4-star album in them somewhere. This isn't quite it, but it's much closer. Maybe next time...