DYNAZTY -“Game of faces” (2025)

Swedish DYNAZTY staying loyal to their new album cadence, present us their 9th Full Length album with a stable line-up since 2013. “Game of faces” comes with eleven new tracks between three and four minutes but on one exception, that share a common foundation in their sound. Is their version of Melodic Power Metal able to stand out in a month that is already full of releases?

To put it simply, this record is the crossroad where good ideas meet with talent and musicianship. The style of DYNAZTY is similar to that of BATTLE BEAST but also wears the cloack of Hard Rock to differentiate itself. On its core “Game of faces” is full on Metal, it houses punchy guitars and exploding riffs, diverse drumming that features double bass and a tight bass performance. At the same time the songs feel like you are listening to classic Rock hymns of the past, tailored to please the audience of today. For example ‘Fire to fight’ gave rise to the vibes similar to that of “Rock you like a hurricane”.  I want to stress that the album is not old fashioned, it is as modern as it gets.

From the whole tracklist I want to stand on three tracks that I loved instantly and that will take a long to fade from my memory, if ever. ‘Devilry of ecstasy’ and ‘Die to survive’ for a similar reason, namely their chorus, they are really excellent. The other being ‘Fortunes favors the brave’ for its lead melody that is pure ear candy and its spell will leave you unable of resisting jumping. I see ‘Sole survivor’ complaining and it has a point as it is another hit! Regarding what I didn’t like as much, I would only add ‘Dream of spring’. It is a beatiful song but since the album does not have a ballad, it serves as the calmest moment in a record that has been throwing one bombastic treat after the other. Its brigde with the choir though is perfection.

The elements that make the album shine are some of the following. I have praised Nils at least two or three times last year (he released music with both AMARANTHE and NEW HORIZON), but I will repeat myself that he stands among the best vocalists of today thanks to his very powerful and rich voice. On the same page, I give the point to the guitar solos even if the entire guitar work is on high level. Lastly, the energy of the album. One time it cought me in the mood and I was just running up and down for 40 minutes!

Does “Game of faces” do anything different from all the other modern bands that compose short songs with emphasis on the tight choruses? I say yes, you just not wait for a chorus to make the song explode. All parts play their role, all members and song segments are necessary gears that work together allowing the result to be as good as it is. I believe the album’s bane is releasing next to other attention gatherers such as DREAM THEATER, LACUNA COIL or AVANTASIA. I stand to the opinion that if it was more universally spread, DYNAZTY would be singing those songs in a sea of people. We are too sort into 2025, but “Game of faces” takes the torch as my favorite release till now and I am very eager to see for how long it will keep it.

90/100

Pavlos Pavlakis

100: Godsent

90s: Excellent

80s: Very good

70s: Good

60s: Enjoyable

50s: Uninspired

40s: Bad

0s -30s: Unlistenable