Truth be known, prior to the first time I saw DT, although I’d heard of them, I’d not had a chance to really listen to them. Their headline performance that night took my head off and caught my attention not only as a promoter but also a genuine fan of this long serving band.
DT will release their fourth album ‘The Electric Abyss’ on the 7th September. A nine track journey that will take you to the voids of Hell, to the church of a new dystopian religion and will open your eyes to the horrors of the Vietnam War.
The lads in DT are huge fans of cult classic film producer and composer John Carpenter and this horror synth feel is apparent throughout.
This review has been an absolute joy and I hope to really reflect the hard work that’s gone into the album.
Opening track and title track ‘The Electric Abyss’ begins with an instrumental intro. DT make a statement from the off with heavy, powerful, melodic riffs.This song describes being enticed into the fiery depths of Hell. Chris Thompson’s brutal vocals will truly beckon you into the Abyss. What strikes me most with this opener is the similarities to Dream Theater, particularly the riffs from Dream Theater’s darker and heavier songs.
The Gojira influences are apparent in ‘Flesh Church’ both with song structure and vocal performance. The vocal harmonies are haunting and powerful as they tell us about a new religion that will hang your carcass on its church walls for all to see.
‘Dagoth’s Nine’ is the first single from the album (you can catch the awesome video on YouTube) and has a traditional thrash metal feel to it reminding me of Sepultura.
‘Beyond The Grave’ is a definite favourite for me with an unusual drums only intro. Once the full band kicks in with that heavy sludgy riff it forces your body to move, it’s impossible not to. The riff has meat, it has attitude and groove.
‘Aeon’ is a short and sweet, mild and melodic instrumental, the easy listening track of the album leading you into a false sense of security when ‘Lord Of Vile’ kicks in. ‘Lord of the Vile’ mirrors it’s brother track ‘Outpost 31’ from their previous album and exists as a fitting tribute to John Carpenter’s 1987 film “Prince of Darkness”. Like the theme of this classic film, this track certainly embodies the essence of Satan with its heavy sound and horror synth sequences.
‘1968’ is yet another stand out track. For me it’s the best drumming track on the album with the double bass pattern matching the main riff. The drumming from Keith Blaikie on this track is world class. It truly captures the devastating realities of the Vietnam War which is the harrowing theme of this powerful track.
‘Hunters Moon’ is a phenomenal instrumental and deserves recognition. I hope that they play it live (Sorry Chris, at least you’ll get a deserved break). Luke James guitar is a pleasure to listen to.
Closing the album is the heavy metal banger ‘Kingdom’. This track describes sailing the Acheron on the way to Hell. DT are sailing there fast and riff heavy. It’s a superb conclusion to the superb addition to modern metal that is “The Electric Abyss.”
The lads from Dog Tired want to take you to Hell with “The Electric Abyss”, but you might just find yourself in heavy metal Heaven.
9/10 RIFFS
-Marc Walsh
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