Dagorlath – 2010-2020
Dagorlath – 2010-2020
Self-Released
Release Date: 21/10/2020
Running Time: 47:49
Review by Simon Black
9/10
Dagorlath have been ploughing their Tolkien-infused Power Metal furrow for over a decade and with three full-length albums already under their belt have taken the decision to re-record the highlights of these in celebration of their tenth anniversary. It’s actually been about since the end of 2020 and has only just reached our desk, but it has made quite an impact here at Black Towers. Given that all four releases have been self-produced, with their knowledge of recording techniques and the practice of playing live allowing for some tightening of the arrangements, then relaunching these tracks afresh is no bad thing. I also get the feeling that the band want to try and extend their reach beyond Spain and Latin America to a wider audience and if Rammstein can get the world singing along in German, then songs in Spanish should not be too hard a goal to reach given it’s the second widest spoken language in the world.
What might get in the way is the fact that the Power Metal market and its numerous bands who have used Tolkien as a source are blocking the view somewhat. And this is very much the classical Euro Power Metal feel – up tempo double-bass drum speed – check; high clean vocals – check; fantasy lyrics – check; neoclassical strains and virtuosity in the solo departments – check, and of course the sing-along melodies that you can join in with whilst drunk in a festival field without knowing the lyrics – check! What makes this different from a list of clichés however is the fact that this little checklist when delivered well is the perfect reason why a band can explode out of their apparent natural confines and become ambassadors for a global brand that no-one knew they needed. And this band deliver so very, very well.
As a native English speaker, I guess I have a natural arrogance that goes along with having watched many bands over the years sing lyrics in my language and not theirs, even if they struggle to do the same in the inter song banter on stage. No matter where you stand on the great Globalisation debate of our time, I think as a music sub-culture and community that we ought to be more open to embracing bands who want to produce music in their native language and Spanish (like Italian) has a natural lyrical feel that works well when set to music – particularly the energetic and bombastic harmonic beast that is Power Metal.
None of the eight tracks on here display much brevity, but what they have in abundance is a rich and beautiful tone, blisteringly tight epic musical and vocal performances and some very, very fine song-writing. The musical interplay between Laura Illán (Keyboards) and Marcelino Romero (guitar) is not in the over the top show off category you might get if Jens Johansen was around, but it works well as it provides a seamless integrated melodic backbone, against the pile driving rhythm section from José Antonio Hernández on drums and Raúl Ramos on Bass. Add to this you have Dani Hernández’s formidable vocals, which hold the attention at the front and occasionally shred the roof with some blisteringly well-held high notes.
If you enjoy Power Metal and NWOBHM, then I strongly recommend this little taster of what Dagorlath can do. Now if you will excuse me, I need to go and give the three source albums a proper listening to.
‘Mithrandir’ 10th Anniversary Version (Official Video)
TRACKLISTING:
01. Inmortal
02. Hoy Debes Luchar
03. Despertar
04. La Caída De Numenor
05. El Eco De Tu Adios
06. Mithrandir
07. Entre Sombras
08. Llanto De Fuego
LINE-UP:
Dani Hernández – Vocals
José Antonio Hernández – Drums
Laura Illán – Keyboards
Marcelino Romero – Guitar
Raúl Ramos – Bass
LINKS:
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