Dool – The Shape of Fluidity
Dool – The Shape of Fluidity
Prophecy Productions
Release Date: 19/04/2024
Running Time: 50:00
Review by Rory Bentley
10/10
2024 has now kicked into beast mode. Things had already started off strong but these next couple of months are an absolute piss-take of fantastic heavy music, and perhaps the pick of the bunch comes from Dutch Psychedelic Rock titans Dool and their frankly fucking magnificent third album “The Shape of Fluidity”.
I was very high on their fantastic 2020 release “Summerland” which along with fellow ‘The Devil’s Blood’ alumni Molassess’ incredible “Through The Hollow” set the bar unfathomably high for classy occult-tinged Psyche-Rock. Despite not being as instantaneous and on the nose as the Green Lungs of this world (no shade on them, they’re fucking awesome), Dool are a band that while still maintaining a sense of darkness and menace, have a slick, melodic sheen that has the potential to draw in a much wider fan base than people that dick about with sage and make weird stick totems in their spare time.
Thematically the album is a fascinating and movingly personal dive into the experiences of singer / guitarist Raven Van Dorst, born intersex and surgically forced into living life as a girl during infancy. Raven has only recently embraced and reclaimed their true identity, and the record is a stunning dive into someone becoming the author of their own life and living their truth in the most triumphant way possible. This is no more true than on the incredible title track that explodes out of subtle, Post Rock guitars with a gigantic chorus that soars in a manner hitherto unheard of from the band.
In fact the album is steeped in arresting melodic hooks both vocally and instrumentally. The spidery arpeggios that introduce ‘Venus In Flames’ instantly grab your attention before giving way to pummelling distortion and dramatic, impassioned vocals. It is commercially appealing without ever losing the band’s dark ethereal sonic core. There is no small amount of Prog sensibility employed here, however don’t let that put you off. I’m talking more Porcupine Tree style world-building than Dream Theatre style wankery.
Despite the Progressive and Psychedelic leanings throughout, the songs here are startlingly punchy and direct, the strident chorus on ‘Self-Dissect’ is as powerful and arresting as anything you’ll hear on mainstream radio this year. The cinematic crescendo that closes out the glorious final couple of minutes, accompanied by a scintillating guitar solo worthy of mount Olympus further cements the band’s Prog tendencies but it doesn’t feel at all indulgent. Oh and if you like riffs to spin your jaw off then ‘Hermagorgon’ is for you my friend. Explosive dynamics and heart-wrenching vocals provide a massive highlight well into the record’s runtime.
To be honest when an album is this cohesive, meticulously crafted and stacked with highlights, it makes a reviewer’s job difficult in the most satisfying of ways. I’m sitting here with a case of option paralysis, overwhelmed by the immaculate sonic feast presented before me and left with no more effective tool of persuasion than to practically beg you to go have a listen for yourself. The sonic cues range from Cult of Luna to Russian Circles, from Opeth to Jess and the Ancient ones, a feast of sophisticated, impassioned heavy music that you owe it to yourself to dive in and experience.
If you guys know me by now you’ll know I don’t dish out 10s very easily and I do my best to avoid hyperbole but my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am arse over tit for this one. Get it down your lugholes now!
‘Venus In Flames’ Official Music Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Venus In Flames
02. Self-Dissect
03. The Shape of Fluidity
04. Currents
05. Evil in You
06. House of a Thousand Dreams
07. Hermagorgon
08. Hymn for a Memory Lost
09. The Hand of Creation
LINE-UP:
Raven Van Dorst – Vocals / Guitar
Nick Polak – Guitar
Omar Iskandr– Guitar
Jb Van Der Wal – Bass
Vincent Kreyder – Drums
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
