Artist: Dagon
Title: Terraphobic
Type: Album
Label: Bombworks Records
Concept albums are commonplace across the musical spectrum, however the concept band seems to be an almost exclusive domain of Metal, as bands churn out complete discographies based on the lives of Vikings or Trolls or Demons. Michigan’s Dagon, (named after a H.P. Lovecraft tale of a giant sea monster worshipped as a God), are one of those bands it seems, calling their music ‘Oceanic Thrash’, and ‘Terraphobic’ is the second full release from them following 2007’s well received ‘Paranormal Icthyology’. The artwork on the album is absolutely stunning, depicting a whacking great sea serpent, about to do some serious damage to a tall sailing ship. If Christopher Columbus had seen this thing coming for him, I think it’s fair to say he would have shit his pants. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…
Dagon’s sound can best be described as a mixture of death and thrash, with dual vocalists Truck and Randall providing a contrast between a shrieking black metal vocal and deep guttural roaring. Opening track ‘Cut To The Heart’ really showcases the musical ability of the band from the off, with a distinctly modern thrash riff and blistering Hoglan-esque drumming from Truck, (how the man can sing whilst drumming like that defies belief). ‘Demons In The Dark’ follows in the same vein, with a heavy Dark Tranquillity influence prevailing. One thing that’s clear by this point is that despite the vocals coming from both extreme ends of the scale, the lyrics are often clear and understandable, which I think is important. Title track ‘Terraphobic’ is the stand out track on here, the vocals sounding like a stand off between Randy Blythe and Mikael Stanne. ‘Wave of Predation’ is much of the same, although by now the pinch harmonics are starting to get grating. Nothing wrong with that in small measures, but they are definitely overdone here, almost on a Zakk Wylde level. That being said, the twin guitar attack of Chris Sharrock and Briant Daniel is very effective, their riffs and solos brilliantly accomplished and varied. ‘Full Speed Ahead’ is a moshpit classic of almost Deicide like intensity. ‘Into The North’ is recognisably Maiden from the opening riff, but once again, they are able to assimilate these many styles into their music without ever compromising their own sound. ‘The Sea Encompassing’ and ‘Feeding Frenzy’ keep up the intensity before album closer ‘Ocean Metal’, which has a very 80’s metal feel, almost as if it were a death metal cover of a Judas Priest song.
To compliment the already excellent musical ability of Dagon, their lyrics are also very intelligent and descriptive. The maturity of the songwriting overall belies the fact that this is only their second full length release. ‘Terraphobic’ is a very good, if not excellent album, but if they can continue with this level of quality and intensity, they will surely hit it big very soon.
http://www.myspace.com/dagonmetal
http://www.bombworksrecords.com/
Lee Kimber
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