Release Date March 27th, 2026
Format LP
Genre Epic Heavy Metal, Power Metal
Origin USA
Born from the nerdy, beer-fueled camaraderie of Colorado’s live-action roleplay scene and a shared epiphany at an Unleash The Archers gig back in 2021, Siege Perilous has spent the last few years sharpening their blades on the local circuit. Founded by vocalist Shaughnessy McDaniel, guitarist Scott Hancock, and drummer Mark Girard, the squad eventually roped in bassist Eric Fischer and recently solidified their three-guitar attack with Ryan Flanagan. After a couple of EPs that hinted at their obsession with swords, sorcery, and historical bloodshed, they finally decided to go all-in on a full-length saga.
"Becoming The Dragon" is the kind of record that makes you want to duct-tape a plastic sword to your hand and charge into a suburban park. It is a concept album through and through, following some "Child Of Prophecy" on a path from destiny-dodging to full-scale reptilian transformation. Most bands mess this up by making the story so bloated you can’t find the riffs, but these guys keep the metal at the forefront. It’s got that glorious, galloping energy that’s been missing from a lot of modern American acts who take themselves way too seriously.
Musically, this is a total love letter to the European masters. You can hear the DNA of Blind Guardian and Iron Maiden all over the place, especially in the way the guitars layer up. Having three guitarists isn't just for show; they use that extra firepower to build some seriously big harmonies that actually stick in your brain. "Ancient Rite" and "Child Of Prophecy" are total anthems for the vest-wearing crowd, leaning heavily into that classic "Siegemetal" vibe they’ve been preaching. The playing is tight, and you can tell these guys actually like playing together instead of just mailing in parts from different states.
The guest spots are a massive flex for a debut. Getting Fabio Lione on "As The Dragon Falls" is a total fanboy dream come true for Shaughnessy, and the track actually manages to bridge that gap between old-school Rhapsody and the band’s own heavier edge.
Then you’ve got Kristin Starkey showing up on "Echoes Of Home," which is a total 80s-style power ballad that manages to be emotional without becoming a total cringe-fest. It’s got a bit of that Meat Loaf or Avantasia drama that adds some flavor to the relentless double-bass drumming found elsewhere.
Now, it’s not all perfect, Shaughnessy’s vocals are definitely a bit rough around the edges in spots. He’s got the power and the range, but there are moments where he sounds like he’s pushing a bit too hard to keep up with the bombastic arrangements. It gives the record a raw, basement-born energy that’s actually pretty refreshing compared to the over-sanitized stuff coming out of the big labels, though a little more vocal finesse would have pushed this even higher. The production is handled by Alex Carrillo, and he did a killer job making sure the bass and violin work from Eric Fischer actually gets heard instead of buried under a pile of distortion.
The closing epic "Eschaton" is where they really swing for the fences. It’s a nearly eight-minute monster that tries to pack in every influence they’ve ever had, and for the most part, it works. It’s a bold way to end a debut, proving they have the stones to write long-form material that doesn't just wander aimlessly. "Becoming The Dragon" is a damn strong start for a band that clearly lives and breathes this genre. They aren't hiding their influences; they’re wearing them like a suit of armor and heading straight for the front lines.
Damage done @: 7.0
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