Time to dig my record archives for something more obscure. Oscuro como el infierno, that's what Dantesco from Puerto Rico are. At least for me. I don't think Dantesco in general are an obscure band, though. They've released 5 albums in 10 years, and some songs on newer albums are in English, too.
It's time to get pagan, so let your inner centaur out and trample on some angels! 'Pagano' is the second full-length album from the band. As soon as the albums begins, listener is presented with traditional, epic doom metal music, basically meaning slower heavy metal (it's not getting much faster than mid-paced at any point, but it ain't funeral procesion paced doom, either). Candlemass certainly paved the way...
The guitar riffs are essentially in 1970s-80s vein; sturdy, potent and into-the-point. There's also King Diamond-esque vibe on many riffs. Guitar harmonies can be heard, of course, and guitarist dueling with solos, sometimes bluesy, at other times shredding. Okay, but can Dantesco offer something interesting, then? Yes! Just check out that EVIL riff on 'La última visita de Grendel' after the stoner-esque intro, or insanely eerie acoustic beginning of 'Exorcista', and then there's awesome solo section in 'Su sangre es mÃa'! There are some very good riffs on this album, but then again, there's also some way familiar ones. The bass guitar isn't simplistic, but at times it's played as a guitar, and there are several other techniques used. So, the scales of judgment turn towards... good guitar stuff, generally.
The vocals are the biggest crux in the band, and for many a listener the scales of verdict, I'm guessing, will turn towards "no". It happened for me for few first spins, I admit that. The vocals aren't metal, but half. But they are powerful, insane screaming in vein of Manowar's Eric Adams. The other half... It's operatic. It is warbling with loads of vibrato, which I'm not too keen of, and yat times he's searching for the correct note for a bit. I cannot praise them, and it ain't Therion, it's way more raw and not perfected. And there's lots of "whoooaaahs". The operatic voice is very much different, though, and it fits the music in a weird way, when I got somewhat used to it. To tell the truth, I don't know how a opera fanatic would comment on them... However, my ears are my own. Plus, all the lyrics are in Spanish, may it be an obstacle or not.
The drums aren't one-sided, for sure, but nothing too spectacular. They do their job. The whole production is dry-ish, kind of barren, and no element is too predominant. This sounds live, actually, and I wonder if it actually partly is so. Considering the dryness, the band were able to conjure different moods, from eerie to religious, and from epic to confrontational. No mean feat. I think it left their soul out in the open.
About the European editions' bonus tracks, then: 'Gethsemane' is a cover from the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar', composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. I'm not familiar with the thing, so I'll comment that the cover is one theatrical piece metalized, and basically more dramatic than Dantesco's own music. The band's own piece is more "fast" paced , almost thrashy song, and is a good addition. Especially its flamenco guitar solo is fantastic!
So, I dug this up from my coffin of doom with a thought of perhaps putting it on my trade list, and what happened?! The usual happened; I like the album a lot. The band have loads of character and the songs are interesting (even if there's a lamer riff or a few here and there, because this manages to leave me mouth open many, many more times). Even with somewhat dry production, they conquer. Tired of a thousandth Candlemass clone? Tired of modern studio work? In need of an adventure in doom-land? Then 'Pagano'.
Rating: 8 (out of 10) ratings explained
Reviewed by Lane
08/20/2020 19:14
