Dagon: Paranormal Ichthyology | In The Sea Thrash Is Tastier…
(Bombworks Records – 2007)
Continuing with the stuff we had to review, here comes the first full-length from this American band called Dagon (they had previously released an EP). The band would publish some more albums during all these years, but as this album had been left without commenting, well, late, but sure.
The band consists of Randall Ladiski on bass, Briant Daniel and Chris Sharrock on guitars plus Jordan Batterbee on drums. Ladiski and Batterbee share vocal duties. One, owner of a screeching voice of the most visceral Thrash Metal and the other with a more guttural and deep vocalization. The combination, while interesting, is not what stands out the most about the band.
For sure if there is something that stands out from Dagon is the personality to create a conceptual work focused on the theme of the sea; more precisely in stories and myths related to the oceans and their depths. Musically the band tries a Thrash Metal out of the conventional and already tried and tested formulas, incorporating mixtures of Death Metal and with punctures worthy of the most traditional Heavy Metal, even incorporating Iron Maiden-like bases. Nothing that bands like Children Of Bodom haven’t already done. The speed is what stands out the most in each song of this work, although we notice a certain repetition in each one of them. On that side it doesn’t convince too much.
“Paranormal Ichthyology” is composed of 11 tracks, among which ‘Children Of Poseidon’ I, II and III stand out, which have a lyrical and musical continuity between them. There is a good track like “Widows In The Wake” or “Pirate Hunter”, which also stands out above the rest. The problem is that the album, although it is correct for being a first work, the truth is that at times it becomes a little repetitive track by track, except in the described tracks.
The production of the album is correct, with a cover according to the image of a monster that resembles Gollum (although we suppose that it is a sea monster that is talked about in the album), with an internal envelope with the lyrics and photographs of the band, plus the technical data of this album as it corresponds. As for the sound and mix work, this album was recorded by Big Bear Productions, Midland Michigan and produced by the band itself and one Clint Salisbury. The engineering, mixing and mastering work was done by Rick Armstrong and Glen Brown. The problem that arises for me is the mix, at times I get the feeling that the guitars are too far to the front or the vocals are layered too much in layers hidden from the overall sound. Something that could be improved. Beyond this issue, the final sound is correct.
We have not yet listened to their next works, but this “Paranormal Ichthyology” is a completely well done album, as for a first album, although of course, we did not find something that stands out, and that throughout this review, I have tried. Anyway, if you are a fan of Thrash Metal not rooted in its sources, with strong doses of Death Metal and traditional Heavy Metal, maybe you can give a chance to this good work by Dagon.
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