DAGOBA
“BLACK NOVA”
Album Review By Barry Vest Sr
8.5/10
Formed in 1997 and inspired by 90’s American metal greats such as Pantera, Machine Head and Fear Factory, Dagoba quickly expanded their furious sound with dark, symphonic and industrial elements culminating on what is to become their strongest album to date, “Black Nova”.
With a feel akin to that of Fear Factory, unto which I am a big fan, this vein of industrial metal is interesting to say the least. A groove infectious trip ripe with powerful riffs and a sundry of power and a bit of symphonic metal to round things out. A powerful voice from Shawter drives the message home. Now I must grip at the opening as it leaves much to be desired and doesn’t add to the album at all. Seems like it’s trying to be an industrial opening, however, it fails to impress. Onward and upward we shall continue though.
Cracking into the first real track we find ourselves at Inner Sun which lands us smack in the middle of a groove leaned into by the powerful vocals and crushing blows of the riff and drum barrage. Speaking of drums Nicolas is front and center on this track and he is tearing it up. Halfway we get some clean lyrics followed up with a monstrous bellow. Definitely has some power chords and they finish strong and abrupt.
The Legacy of Ares starts off with some serious double bass and quick finger work. This track is fast paced and reminiscent of Sepultura. Time changes amp up the infectiously fast hooks and draw you in for more. The instrumental section is killer with power chords layered over some double bass madness that make my legs tired. Shawter is pitch perfect and belts out the power with purpose.
Next, we have Stone Ocean which has the same exact time stamp as the previous. Something I haven’t seen before. A much softer entry that rises and falls in intensity and lyrics. From clean to guttural and back again. The flow is impressive, even though it should be disjunct, it just all seems to work brilliantly. Shawter’s clean voice is top-notch and he makes good use of both ranges he produces. He is one of those singers that really uses his voice as an instrument.
A bit more industrial shines through for the opener of The Infinite Chase as it comes into view. You can hear the influence of Fear Factory in this track for sure. Heavy and crunchy with the sound of chains and bits of synth popping in. The chorus is catchy and entrancing while the main body is heavy and pounding. The ending fades off with piano.
The Grand Emptiness starts off like the beginning of a Mad Max Movie. As though you were at the gates of Bartertown heading to the Thunderdome. Upon entering the Thunderdome the music of this song starts playing. Hell, this song embodies the setting and lifestyle even. A heavy, fast, and fist pounding chunk of badass. In my opinion, the penultimate track of the record. Enough said.
With hopes the rest of the album stacks up to what I just heard, we round the corner to Lost Gravity which loses the momentum a bit. It’s a good tune but not nearly the atmosphere or power of the previous track. More of a radio song, something to hook you in. Clean lyrics with growls thrown on top. Another strong finish and we are off to the next track Fire Dies which brings us back to the heavier side of things. A symphonic industrial sound with unrelenting drum work and a powerful voice layered with symphony string sections. If you like symphonic metal then you undoubtedly will like this song. The instrumental sections are well done and the juxtaposition of his growls are on point.
Nearing the end, we have Phoenix et Corvus which continues this mash up different metal sub-genres to the point of making them a truly new thing. Just metal with all the flash, solos, power chords, synth piano, screams, growls, etc. I really dig this kind of song. It’s impossible to categorize and to me is the antithesis of what metal should be, just good old headbanging fun with no rules.
The last of this album Vantablack comes in slow and melancholy and quickly becomes lyrically powerful backed up by blast beats and double bass with a vengeance and that’s just the beginning. Seriously how can Nicolas walk after this. What a strong song, the clean vocals are so melodic and the screams are perfect all the way through.
It’s refreshing to hear a band that is not afraid to mix things up. Some of the best bands I’ve heard do this and do it well. Mixing elements from many types of metal to put their own stamp on things. Dagoba have managed to set themselves apart in my eyes. Even though they divided their fan base here I for one believe this sound will draw in many more fans. They gained me as a fan and I look forward to more. Go out and get this and hear for yourselves people. You will not be disappointed.
TRACKLIST
Tenebra
Inner Sun
The Legacy of Ares
Stone Ocean
The Infinite Chase
The Grand Emptiness
Lost Gravity
Fire Dies
Phoenix et Corvus
Vantablack
Dagoba are:
Nicolas Bastos – Drums
Werther Ytier – Bass
Shawter – Vocals, Machines
JL Ducroiset – Guitar
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChH5qUQ8pEbbUrdQPlfvhfw
https://www.facebook.com/dagoba13/
https://dagoba.bandcamp.com/
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