Damnation Angels: Fiber Of Our Being (2020)

UK-based symphonic power metal band Damnation Angels is finally back with a new album. I have to admit I had all but written the band off after the departure of their charismatic vocalist Pellek and the five-year wait since their last album. Still, with both of their albums – 2012’s Bringer Of Light and 2015’s The Valiant Fire – remaining in steady rotation all these years later, I knew I had to check out their new album. It’s called Fiber Of Our Being, and it’s their first to feature new vocalist “Iggy” Rodriguez and bassist Nic Southwood.

It turns out I really shouldn’t have doubted this band. Fiber Of Our Being is every bit as good as the first two Damnation Angels albums (and those two were freaking great). The songs strike the same perfect balance between heaviness and melody and just radiate that epic Kamelot/Nightwish-style symphonic atmosphere. The melodies sink directly into your subconscious while the rousing symphonic elements and the storytelling in the lyrics transport you to another world. Some albums just refuse to become background music, and this is definitely one of them.

Oh, and Iggy Rodriguez won’t be an unknown vocalist much longer. He has a different style than Pellek, but has every bit as much power and range, and he brings a ridiculous amount of energy to this album. Listen to him hitting the choruses on “Fiber Of Our Being” or “Greed And Extinction” and you’ll get it right away. He’s also critical to capturing that storytelling vibe on songs like “Fractured Amygdala” and the 13-minute epic “Remnants Of A Dying Star.”

Fiber Of Our Being is another first-class symphonic power metal album from a band that should be a major name in this scene. It’s a more than worthy follow-up to The Valiant Fire, and is probably the best symphonic metal album you’ll hear all year. I already know I’ll be spinning this one for quite some time. If you’re a fan of bands like Kamelot, Nightwish, Myrath and Angra, you definitely need to discover Damnation Angels.