Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Dreams of Damnation - Epic Tales of Vengence - 2006 - Say it In Blood Records

Track Listing1. Crimson Vengence 2. Kill for Peace 3. Beyond Salvation 4. The Bloodletting 5. New Flesh 6. Patricide 7. Eaters of the Dead

Dreams of Damnation are stradling a fence here with Epic Tales of Vengence--one old; one newer. The production of DoD, intended or not, is fairly old-school and leaning towards the underground thrashers of the late 80's era that lived in the shadow of the big guns (Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax) influenced, I assume, by ex-Dark Angel lead guitarist Jim Durkin. Some of the Scandanavian thrash that is ruling the current scene has such a crisp sound that it leaves my ears feeling iced from the precision, but DoD has the warmth of the beefy lower range. Bringing them into the modern is the vocals of Loana dP Valencia whose growls are indistinguishable from male/female, but not so deep that they fall into the death category. Legend is that the band was playing as a trio in late 2000 and as Loana was waiting to get some vinyl (!) signed, they all hit it off and eventually added her to the ranks. DoD's greatest strength is its build-up of songs through patience and blundeoning guitarwork much like older Exiter, Tank and Abattoir. Many thrash bands jump right in the pool and flail about for the big splash. Dreams of Damnation craft songs by slowly turning up the heat till the water is at boiling point.


Bottom Line: Jeans, studs and a solid 7 songs.


Of note: No platypuses or manatees were harmed in the making of this album.


Links:
www.dreamsofdamnation.com
www.myspace.com/dreamsofdamnation


--Nailer 07.26.06