Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

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Band
Paragon
Title
Force Of Destruction
Type
LP/EP
Company
Napalm
YOR
2012
Style
Power
4/25/2013 - Review by: Eric Compton

Paragon
Force Of Destruction

Company: Napalm
Release: 2012
Genre: Power
Reviewer: EC

  • This is the best the band has sounded in years



  • This German grunt truck has been pushing heavy Teutonic metal since the early 90s. In a time where more bands were opting out of metal (US and otherwise), Paragon were just stepping in. Ten records so far and the band has made quite a name for themselves, at this point doing Grave Digger and Running Wild much better than Rolf and Chris. All great things eventually seem to recycle, the life's blood drained and then filled again. That same sort of cycle has affected Paragon.

    For this tenth studio effort the band has a complete makeover. In fact this band does not have one single remaining member from it's conception and debut record (Exciter anyone?). The original Paragon that we knew has departed and what remains are the two oldest members in Andreas Babuschkin and Jan Bunning, both of which joined six years after the band's beginning. Going into 2012 the band replaced guitarists Martin Christian (founding member) and Gunny Kruse (joined in 2007) with newcomers Jan Bentram and Wolfgang Tewes. Bassist Dirk Siefert is replaced by Jan Bunning, an odd circumstance considering Siefert replaced Bunning back in 2007. With all of the internal changes comes a difference in labels as well. The five year marriage with Massacre Records has ended and the group begin their new life with Napalm.

    So are the changes an improvement or a decline in quality?

    "Force Of Destruction" rivals and may even surpass the band's crowning achievement in "Law Of The Blade". This is the best the band has sounded in years and improves in terms of guitar playing, production and intensity. "Iron Will" starts the show with a massive chorus and mid-way you can hear the dueling melodic leads from Tewes and Bentram, something that has never really been present before. That same chemistry prevails on "Rising From The Black", amazing twin guitar dueling about three minutes into the song. We still get the trademark Teutonic galloping, evident on Accept like "Gods Of Thunder" and "Blades Of Hell", both packing a punch in the way the guitars are really crips and up front, all locked and loaded with the pounding double bass and quick snap snares. The band show off some slower numbers on "Dynasty" and the ghoulish "Demon's Lair" and throw down some serious Candlemass doom on epic "Blood And Iron". The band still place speedy numbers in the mix as well, highlight being the Running Wild like "Secrecy". The album comes with two bonus tracks, a mean cover of Accept's "Son Of A Bitch" and an alternate version of "Blood And Iron" featuring Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, ex-Helloween).


    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      4 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: PARAGON
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Force Of Destruction
    2012
    Napalm
    Eric Compton4/25/2013
    4
    Hell Beyond Hell
    2016
    Remedy
    Eric Compton7/12/2016
    4
    Revenge
    2005
    Magick Records
    Eric Compton5/26/2005
    -
    The Dark Legacy
    2003
    Remedy
    Eric Compton10/1/2003
    -

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: PARAGON
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
    Jan BunningEric Compton11/20/2003


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