Released by Frontiers Music Srl. on October 9th, 2020
Quick Background
DGM is an Italian progressive metal band releasing their debut album in 1997. Over the course of the band's history, they have had numerous line-up changes, with none of the founding members in the band's current line up. However, since the arrival of Marco Basile (Vox) and the release of frAme (2009) there were no more changes. Two other albums were released since then: 2013 - Momentum and 2016 - The Passage. With this line-up the writing credits are mostly attributed to Basile and Simone Mularoni (Guitars). I do have a short history with the band. I own a DVD/CD Synthesis - The Best Of DGM and one more CD and I have seen them live once of twice.
Tragic Separation
Their 10th studio album, Tragic Separation follows 2016's The Passage. DGM started writing new music in the spring of 2019 resulting in Tragic Separation: A textbook example of power progressive metal executed right. The trademarks are there: Big choruses, technical passages, fast guitars, hooks, and bombastic transitions. All packedged with a good production. So why am I not so excited it about it? Let's discuss...
The album opens very strongly with "Flesh and Blood". I think it's importsant to remember that in 2013's album Momentum Symphony X's Russel Allen made a guest appearance on the fantastic album opener "Reason". Fast forward 7 years and in 2020 DGM sound a lot like Symphony X. The guitar work and solos are just great. Specially in the aforementioned opening track. The music and all instruments are pure Romeo and company. The difference being Basile's voice. But still he is able to deliver the goods throughout the album without appealing to super high pitched range (often a problem in Italian bands). DGM as I remember wasn't that heavy and had a remarkable influence of classic hard rock. And track number two "Surrender" is a testament to that. It reminds a lot of Van Halen, a very nice and super catchy tune. They also kept some prog rock elements, as noted by the band themselves, the title track is influenced by Kansas. Another highlight for me is "Land of Sorrow" featuring a moving groove, cool base lines and catchy melodies.
Tragic Separation is a concept album about life and everyone’s path they go down between the choices they make and the subsequent consequences they bring to human lives. But frankly it doesn't feel like a concept album and the title does not translate the concept the band described.
The Picky Guy
Unfortunately despite the album being technically brilliant, it didn't really click with me completely. Maybe the hooks didn't always work for me or the fact that I didn't see anything that stood out differently from other albums in this genre. Apart for the songs I highlighted, it's difficult to distinguish the other ones, the album just blends it all together.
Wrap Up Opinion
Wrapping up here, Tragic Separation is OK. Technically DGM is one of Italy’s finest. Some of the key songs worked very well, but overall the album fell flat for me with ups and downs and I don't see myself going back to it. Therefore I am giving it 75 out of 100. A mixed effort from a band with potential, so I keep my fingers crossed for them.
SCORE: 75/100
Genre: Progressive Metal
Released by Frontiers Music Srl. on October 9th, 2020
Rating System*
99 - 100 Perfect
94 - 98 Excellent
87 - 93 Great
82 - 86 Very Good
77 - 81 Good
66 - 76 Mixed
58 - 65 Bad
* slightly adapted on May 24th, 2020 due to statistical review
wordcount = 550
99 - 100 Perfect
94 - 98 Excellent
87 - 93 Great
82 - 86 Very Good
77 - 81 Good
66 - 76 Mixed
58 - 65 Bad
* slightly adapted on May 24th, 2020 due to statistical review
wordcount = 550
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