Dreams Of Damnation - Epic Tales Of Vengeance

Liu · 08-11-2006, 08:04 AM

Dreams Of Damnation - Epic Tales Of Vengeance
Say It In Blood Records

Long-time thrash fans will no doubt know of the contributions of Jim Durkin, one of the masterminds behind the legendary thrash act Dark Angel. The years since Dark Angel folded have mostly been filled with obscurity for Durkin, at least until he formed Dreams Of Damnation in the late 1990's and released one well recieved EP in the year 2000. Few years and a revamped line-up later he is ready to unleash his latest creation.

Dreams Of Damnation does what Durkin knows best: straight up, venom fueled thrash. I've noticed in the last few years that there has been a supposed "thrash revival", based around disguised metalcore bands that wouldn't know a thrash riff if one ripped through their bowels. Suffice to say, Durkin and co. don't have this problem. In this brief 30 minute EP, Durkin and second guitarist Rick Alsup deliver potent riffs and fretboard-blistering solos that would have felt right at home in any of the '80's thrash classics. All one has to do is listen to Beyond Salvation or the album closer Eaters Of The Dead to hear these guys ripping it up on their axes. Handling the vocal duties is Loana dP Valencia. The fact that she is a woman should not dissuade anyone from having interest in Epic Tales Of Vengeance, her hatred-spewed vocals will no doubt spurn any such misgivings. The genre isn't really known for having exceptional vocalists, and she does a better job at it than most I've heard. Rounding out the line-up is bassist Matt Arner and drummer Miguel A. Moran (whose highlight is the tribal inspired drumming that opens up Beyond Salvation).

My only real complaint with Epic Tales Of Vengeance (besides being just a 30 minute EP) is the overall sound mix. Loana's vocals are very high in the mix, almost drowning out everything else. It took several listens before all the sweet nooks and crannies were finally noticed, so bear this in mind before writing them off on those initial listens. There are indeed some lethal riffs and solos underneath the overwhelmingly powerful vocals. In the end, Dreams Of Damnation have given us a surprisingly satisfying EP that will hold over thrash addicts needing a fix. Now, how about a full-length?

01. Crimson Vengeance
02. Kill For Peace
03. Beyond Salvation
04. The Bloodletting
05. New Flesh
06. Patricide
07. Eaters Of The Dead

Score: 7/10

08-11-2006, 08:04 AM	#1
Liu Global Galaxy Tyrant Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 196	Dreams Of Damnation - Epic Tales Of Vengeance Dreams Of Damnation - Epic Tales Of Vengeance Say It In Blood Records Long-time thrash fans will no doubt know of the contributions of Jim Durkin, one of the masterminds behind the legendary thrash act Dark Angel. The years since Dark Angel folded have mostly been filled with obscurity for Durkin, at least until he formed Dreams Of Damnation in the late 1990's and released one well recieved EP in the year 2000. Few years and a revamped line-up later he is ready to unleash his latest creation. Dreams Of Damnation does what Durkin knows best: straight up, venom fueled thrash. I've noticed in the last few years that there has been a supposed "thrash revival", based around disguised metalcore bands that wouldn't know a thrash riff if one ripped through their bowels. Suffice to say, Durkin and co. don't have this problem. In this brief 30 minute EP, Durkin and second guitarist Rick Alsup deliver potent riffs and fretboard-blistering solos that would have felt right at home in any of the '80's thrash classics. All one has to do is listen to Beyond Salvation or the album closer Eaters Of The Dead to hear these guys ripping it up on their axes. Handling the vocal duties is Loana dP Valencia. The fact that she is a woman should not dissuade anyone from having interest in Epic Tales Of Vengeance, her hatred-spewed vocals will no doubt spurn any such misgivings. The genre isn't really known for having exceptional vocalists, and she does a better job at it than most I've heard. Rounding out the line-up is bassist Matt Arner and drummer Miguel A. Moran (whose highlight is the tribal inspired drumming that opens up Beyond Salvation). My only real complaint with Epic Tales Of Vengeance (besides being just a 30 minute EP) is the overall sound mix. Loana's vocals are very high in the mix, almost drowning out everything else. It took several listens before all the sweet nooks and crannies were finally noticed, so bear this in mind before writing them off on those initial listens. There are indeed some lethal riffs and solos underneath the overwhelmingly powerful vocals. In the end, Dreams Of Damnation have given us a surprisingly satisfying EP that will hold over thrash addicts needing a fix. Now, how about a full-length? 01. Crimson Vengeance 02. Kill For Peace 03. Beyond Salvation 04. The Bloodletting 05. New Flesh 06. Patricide 07. Eaters Of The Dead Score: 7/10 __________________ Lapland Metal