Los Angeles crew Year of The Dragon follow up their 2019 LP, Take Control, with new output Dragon Burn. Seismic guitars and potent percussion are set behind the inimitable one-two vocal punch of Flyin Jay and Dirty Walt, formerly of the iconic ska/metal group Fishbone.
The throwback ’00’s hard rock intonations on “Sumfanuffin” make way for Red Hot Chili Peppers-esque riffs on thrill ride “Bombs are Droppin.”
“Dragon Burn” is a rap-metal inspired rager. The track maintains the measured freneticism before funk-splayed “Eviction” powers through with it’s toe-tapping beats.
The band’s punk roots come to the fore on the infectious “Go, Go, Go.” The nostalgic, ’00s-leaning alt-rock anthem moves away from the bombast and intensity of what surrounds it. Despite this, Year of The Dragon seem comfortable pushing their sonic boundaries. The track cautions putting others in front of yourself, only to be let down retrospectively.
Nu metal rhymes are sharply spun on closer “Run ‘Em Out.” The fist raising shot in the arm challenges listeners to question authority and embrace information over affirmation. Thematically fitting to the collection the closer is a rousing conclusion to a fiery set of tracks.
Year of The Dragon have raised the roof with a number of short tours across Southern California. Indeed, they have seemingly transported their indelible energy to record on Dragon Burn. The new EP is both a protest and a call to action. It’s a challenge for those feeling disillusioned, both personally and politically. Year of The Dragon have raised their fist in rebellion, and set it against a backdrop of fun, funk-filled melodic metal anthems.
Photo courtesy of Year of The Dragon.
