You might just be hearing about Jeris Johnson with the release of the single “When The Darkness Comes” but he’s no stranger to the rock world. A few years ago, he released a reloaded version of Papa Roach’s “Last Resort,” which featured Jacoby Shaddix and, last year he released his debut album.
It’s a tall order to release a new album just one year after your debut- let alone have it be good- but Johnson is back nevertheless with Dragonborn, and things just seem bigger with this one.
The buzz has been crazy since he released the aforementioned lead single, but there is no way anyone could ever imagine what’s to come with Dragonborn. Firstly, you can’t skip through any of the songs on the record because Johnson switches up styles and rhythms mid-song numerous times, but it works.
The opening track- also the title track- is an epic track that gives a Tenacious D vibe and tells the tale of a young boy setting off on a quest to find his destiny before “Story of Our Lives” really kicks the album up. It’s a rock track that transitions into EDM and hip hop flawlessly and goes back and forth throughout. It’s an addictive one that’s a guarantee to become a quick favorite when the record releases.
Lead single “When The Darkness Comes” harkens back to the glory days of classic Avenged Sevenfold but also feels like something out of The Nightmare Before Christmas and sees Johnson switching up his vocal delivery to a deeper, more raspy tone before”
“Welcome to Valhalla” is a fun one that opens with a Roman choir that starts out traditionally but then starts rapping as soon as the music starts. The song starts to cinematically build before launching into a heavy metal-laden anthem led by a screaming Johnson. It then slows down with some classical-style piano before the song gets back to the Roman choir-pace and is an anthem that’s just fun to listen to.
“Here’s to the Years” channels bands like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly with the strings but with a medieval twist to it. It even has a dance break in the middle and is another anthem on the record. It should be an instant hit and live staple.
“Siren Song” starts soft and charming with medieval flutes and acoustic guitars with a backing choir and then gets heavy led by a screaming Johnson. The chorus rhythm has a metal “What Child Is This?” Christmas carol vibe to it and is hypnotic in its vibes. It also switches into a medieval hip hop breakdown mid-song before going back to normal and has a few quick tempo change-ups to soft acoustic and back to heavy.
“Down With the Dynasty” starts off as an adrenaline-pumping, pyro-inducing metal classic and switches back and forth with an EDM-loaded chorus and also has a choir backing Johnson in different areas of the song. This would do Andrew W.K. proud and is a fun one you’ll be listening to on repeat.
“Not a Person (Freak)” really changes it up and is nothing like anything else on the album. It’s KoRn-style guitars combined with an overly-transic and soothing rhythm is one that lives on after the song is over. Then throw in a lyrical theme that everyone in the metal community can relate to and has felt, this song hits hard.
After a theatrical Greek battle-themed choir intro, “Ode to Metal” makes you think it’s a hip hop track but randomly transforms into a Warped Tour-style tribute to a lot of the bands that inspired us all- A Day to Remember, Linkin Park, Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot and more along with a rhythm that will make you envision those summer festival circle pits.
Wrapping things up are an impressive cover of Seal’s “Kiss From a Rose” which adds a heavy metal twist but also stays true to the original, changing it up just enough to make it Johnson’s own as well as “Finish Line,” which has some of the most personal and heart-wrenching lyrics on the record and is one you really need to sit down and listen to with full attentiveness.
In the end, Jeris Johnson has completely surpassed any expectations that were set for this record. While its his sophomore full-length, things just seem bigger and they’re definitely clicking on Dragonborn.
Johnson keeps you on your feet and guessing with this album. The tempo and genre changes are fun and the numerous different vocal styles Johnson uses are impressive. If you’re a fan of rap, hip hop or trap music, this is the album for you; If you’re a fan of heavy metal, rock or metalcore, this is the album for you.
Imagine Andrew WK mixed with classic Avenged Sevenfold. That’s what Dragonborn is and the eclectic make Dragonborn a beautiful masterpiece. If Jeris Johnson really is the future of rock, then we’re in good hands.
Rating: 9.5/10
-Reggie Edwards