DGM - Endless
(Frontiers Music SRL - 2024)
(Genre: Progressive Rock/Metal)
Well this is Delightfully Good Music! DGM are described as ‘Italian progressive metal masters’ on the information pack that accompanies their 12th album release ‘Endless’. On this evidence I can’t argue with that statement!
This is my first exposure to this Italian outfit and being a fan of bands like Dream Theater and Kansas for example, this is right up my street. This concept album tells of one man's journey to understand the choices that shaped his life and how life might be different if he had taken another path.
Album opener, ‘Promises’ impresses from the off. The arrangement showcases the musical talent the band has in abundance. From the great guitar work to fabulous flute playing, the rhythm provided by the drum and bass to the keyboards adding depth to the melodies. ‘The Great Unknown’ has some violin in its musical arrangement, giving it a Kansas feel.
Vocalist, Marco Basile has more mic time on this song and shows he has a more than solid vocal range to compliment the musical class of his bandmates. Simone Mularoni delivers an impressive guitar solo on this track. ‘The Wake’ has both Opeth and Dream Theater vibes within it musically. Mularoni’s guitar work is brilliant throughout the track.
Emanuele Casali adds to the melodic flavour with impressive keyboard work and Fabio Constantino (Drums) and Andrea Arcangeli (Bass) keep the rhythm locked in tight. The album continues to impress with ‘Solitude’ Basile delivers a strong vocal and the keyboards midway through have a Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) style to them.
Halfway through the album now and ‘From Ashes’ is a more straight up hard rock track. The band are locked in tight and provide a great energy whilst still oozing class, the lead guitar and keyboard section is a highlight. Powerful rock energy permeates ‘Final Call’. The flute work from Casali is used to great effect on this track and the whole album when utilised to add to the soundscape produced by the band.
The ballad ‘Blank Pages’ offers tones of Dream Theater and Yes. The piano playing is at the heart of the song and Mularoni delivers another excellent solo.
14 minutes of brilliance closes the album. ‘…Of Endless Echoes’ is top tier progressive metal that anyone who likes this genre will enjoy. With tracks of this length the quality has to be maintained or the listeners attention can drift off. There is no danger of this here however, the track delivers in spades and despite its length races by. It seamlessly flows with plenty of light and shade in its arrangement, showcasing each of the band members abilities.
This is a great album from a band who have been honing their craft since the mid-nineties. The current line-up has been together for around 15 years and appear to have ‘endless’ talent at their collective disposal. My only criticism is I now have 11 more DGM albums to go and check out! I best get Spotify opened up… Great!
8/10
By Carl Mace