After a twelve-year hiatus, Australia’s own DRAGONSCLAW return with their third album, “Moving Target”, and it’s a roaring comeback. For those new to the band, they play a classic blend of traditional Heavy Metal and melodic Power Metal that manages to be both epic and free of cheese. Formed in 2010, their sound is steeped in the rich history of 1970s Australian Hard Rock and Pub Rock, as well as the golden eras of British and American Heavy Metal. You can hear echoes of RIOT, WARLORD, JUDAS PRIEST, DIO and IRON MAIDEN woven into their sound, but there’s a unique, electrifying sensationalism that feels distinctly Australian. The band is spearheaded by vocalist Giles Lavery, who hinted that the album sounds like an unholy union of JUDAS PRIEST’s “Defenders Of The Faith” and “Turbo”, with a powerful dose of DIO’s mind grabbing melodies. This stellar line-up also features guitarists Ben and Aaron Thomas, along with WARLORD’s Mark Zonder on drums and Jimmy Waldo on keyboards, creating a tight and compelling foundation. “Moving Target” packs nine tracks into just over 40 minutes, and the opening trio ‘The Road Beneath Your Wheels’, ‘Survival’ and ‘Cry Wolf’, gives a perfect taste of what’s in store. The standout banger, ‘Don’t Break The Silence Again’, is an instant earworm with a chorus that sticks in your mind and demands multiple listens. The album continues to build with head swaying tracks like ‘Back On The Streets’ and the intensely satisfying ‘Ghost Soldiers’, which showcase the band’s mature songwriting. The guest appearance by Todd Michael Hall on the fast-paced ‘Shadowfire’ adds even more flair. Tracks like the catchy, MAIDEN-esque ‘Tell Me (All Your Lies)’ and the fitting closer ‘Raise Your Fist’ seal the deal. The overall production is warm and high-octane, capturing the band’s live energy. The musicianship is precise and passionate, and Lavery’s vocals are a force of nature, with the clarity of Michael Kiske, the intensity of Geoff Tate and the power of Ronnie James Dio, all topped with that inherent Aussie grit. With a striking cover by ‘All Things Rotten’, “Moving Target” isn’t just a nostalgic trip; it’s a well-crafted album that respects its roots while reminding everyone that DRAGONSCLAW is a force to be reckoned with. This record is poised to shock the ears of Classic Metal fanatics and should easily land on “best of the year” lists. Find out more about the band and label, here: www.facebook.com/dragonsclawofficial, www.facebook.com/hrrecords.