DAGORLAD
"Herald of Doom" (Shiver Records; 2008)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Here's an interesting recording with a sound all its own. "Herald of Doom" takes black metal attitude and vocals and combines them with folk and movie score music to create a unique effect that is the band's signature.
I think the secret here may be that Dagorlad isn't afraid to pile on the non-metal sounds. In fact, the opening instrumental has no metal or even rock'n'roll influences or sounds whatsoever. It sounds like the main title theme from a dark fantasy film. But when the band kicks in with the black metal guitars and growling vocals, they develop a sound that's a little like Dimmu Borgir or Bal-Sagoth but with more melody and with a balance of more non-metal to metal.
Atmospheric, entertaining, well-performed and beautifully produced, "Herald of Doom" is just the thing for fans of black metal who are looking for something just a little different.
Dagorlad: AOD - vocals; Philippe Gandibleu - guitar, bass, backing vocals and synthesizer.
For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/dagorladbelgium.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 18 Nov 2024 13:33:12 -0500.