Review | DGM – Endless

Frontiers Music srl

Italian progressive metal masters DGM have been around for a bunch of decades now in which they produced eleven full albums under the guidance of guitarist/composer Simone Mularoni. The band started out somewhere in 1994 I believe. And even after all these years and albums the need to progress and further develop themselves is a very important thing to the group. So, on their twelfth album the band has done exactly that.

DIFFERENT APPROACH

Ideas most have been there in overflow as their last album ‘Life’ was released in 2023. It seems that after that release DGM did not waste any time at all. People that are familiar with the group and like their ‘metal edge’ and up-tempo tracks in the progressive metal genre will find that ‘Endless’ has some new and different elements. Mularoni and his mates have chosen for a slightly different approach. Fans of the group do not have to worry that their metal edge is gone. That is certainly not the case. There are plenty of heavy elements there in the eight songs on the album. Fact is though that DGM has introduced some different instruments such as flute, violin and even a sax. And there are in general a lot more classic progressive rock influences been put in the mix and, also more acoustic parts.

DIFFERENT FLAVOUR

All these subtle changes have given ’Endless’ a different flavor compared with its predecessors. The first single ,,The Great Unknown’’ is, according to Mularoni, the song that is the best example of how the new classic elements connect with the usual style of the band. It is like Kansas meeting for instance Dream Theater. Just listen to the song and you will for sure catch my drift. Also, the names of Jethro Tull and Yes come up while listening to the album. Keyboardist Emanuele Casali is the one who accentuates the small change in style by showing his skills on the flute (,,The Fall’’).

NO NEED TO WORRY

But like I stated before, people that have been following DGM for years do not have to worry. The changes are certainly not too dramatic and a hard edged track such as ,,From Ashes’’ proves that DGM has not lost any of its metallic skills. Especially Simone Mularoni is in sublime form over the whole album with his chops and solos while also vocalist Marco Basile has adapted well to the somewhat new song arrangements. He still is as impressive as ever and floats like a young God in and between the songs.

DGM – THE CONCLUSION

As ,,The Great Unknown’’ is for the band the song that ‘stands’ for the new style, for me the epic closer ,,… Of Endless Echoes’’ with its beautiful build-up and more than 14 minutes of playing time is the song that has all the elements of the ‘new’ and ‘old’ DGM that are on display on this album. Again, hearing is believing! It is absolutely a masterpiece! Oh yeah, ‘Endless’ is also a concept album dealing with the existence of a man who is pondering about the paths he has taken or should take in his lifetime. It is all wrapped in an impressive piece of classical tinted progressive rock with a big metal kick. Kudos for DGM as they are still trying to develop and broaden their own musical horizon, even after some thirty years in the business.

Release date: 18 October 2024