Daal vs Universe Zero

Daal. Their use of Mellotron draws me in every time.

Daal is one of countless bands I've listened to and forgotten all about. Upon relistening I'm reminded that - like many of these forgotten bands, they are too pretty darn great at what they do. But they operate in within a very crowded space of mainly instrumental symphonic prog with a dark/avant edge. So flawless and pleasurable as it is (ticking all the right boxes etc...), to me it still ends up feeling a little faceless and generic. These themes and ideas they present feel so, so familiar. This came across more negative than my intention was. The Call of the Witches is indeed quite beautiful. But I also relistened to two out of the three albums I was already famliar with (the debut album and its follow-up). And once again I found them solid, but not very memorable.

I've only heard Daedalus of Daal, which is OK, but UZ is so consistent that I like any of their albums more.

I had not heard the EP, The Call of the Witches, but listened earlier and did like it very much. I have heard Dodecahedron and Decalogue of Darkness, but not for quite some time. With Univers Zero, on the other hand, I have every one of its albums and I do think it is one of the most consistently good bands. I especially like the first three, although I liked UZed a lot too. It may be unfair to vote without familiarising myself with more Daal, and re-familiarising myself with those albums I have heard, but I am quite confident that UZ would remain more special to me. Good poll, and I will be listening to more Daal in the future. I seem to remember a Daal vs. Taal vs. Amon Düül II poll at some time.

Univers Zero gets my vote.

Univers Zero

Im listening to Daal as im making this and it strikes me they occopie sinilar audio and sonix spectrum to the Belgian masters of dark cabaret prog, chamber prog. Though Daal uses more regular rock instruments, they occopie a gnarly and dark soundscape, which takes my mind towards Hitchcock esque imagery. Dark cabart, not as essoteric as Devil Doll.

But they both are broothing and existencialistic, makes you ponder about the grey areas of music.

Reccomended listen for Daal, (whom lacks a wikipedia sirmte :(, are Navels Falling into a Living Origami, and Decalogue of Darkness, bu i think all their albums deserve a sneak peek.

Edited by Icarium - July 16 2023 at 11:46