FRAME

Do you like the heavier side of Dream Theater? Are you interested in listening some non-lame high-pitch vocals? (sorry, La Brie) Then DMG is for you. Labeled by some people as "the european answer to DT", "Frame" is an album that delivers great metal with catchy tunes and an intense groove. This is the first album I get from these guys, and I do not know if their previous works are so good like this, but one thing is sure: this is what metal progressive is about. DMG is a sure bet for those who likes DT, Symphony X (and yes, Vanden Plas) and the like, specially if you're tired of James LaBrie or the Muse-Radiohead-Porcupine Tree undertones in last DT's albums (not me, but hey I'm telling you!) What? Am I the first reviewer? and just 3 ratings? C'mon folks this is a band that deserves more recognition.

Improvement on all fields

DGM is a band that always seems to be a bit indecisive. Either they seem to be a bit too pop- influenced with their melodies, or they tend to focus too much on technicality.

Well... No More. For the first time DGM seems to live up to their potential. The album is heavier all over then before. Their melodies pops up from my unconscious as I catch myself humming to Hereafter while at work. And the best thing of all is how they have managed to fuse melody and technical performance on this album. Before FrAme, they were an okay band. Now, I would mention them along some of the best progressive power metal bands out there. Like Symphony X, Pagans Mind and Eldritch. The singer has suddenly also become a favorite as he has evolved a more powerful style. I definitely prefer him before the singers of Pagans Mind and Eldritch. Still has a bit to go, before he reaches the power of Russell Allen though.

The production also deserves to be mentioned. It is powerful and detailed as before, but I would have to say that this one has raised the bar for DGM production wise as well.

Kudos to DGM for their improvement. And for those of you who got scared away by their last dreadful effort Different Shapes. Listen to Hereafter from FrAme and realize that DGM has risen to the occasion and made their best album to this date.

This is the latest from Italy's DGM. A Prog-Metal band who blasts us with double bass drumming throughout. A new vocalist for this one in Mark Basile and he does a great job here. I found that there wasn't a lot of variation on this album, and as I mentioned there's way too much double bass drumming for my taste.

"Hereafter" features lots of synths and double bass drumming early on. It settles some before a minute with vocals. It turns mellow before 3 minutes then kicks back in hard. "Enhancement" opens with a barrage of double bass then it settles before a minute with vocals. "Not In Need" kicks in right away and again settles some when the vocals arrive. "No Looking Back" builds as vocals come in after a minute. Keys and drums lead after 3 minutes. A guitar solo before 4 minutes.

"Trapped..." has this marching-like rhythm with choir-like vocals.Then it kicks in. Great sound. "...In A Movie" is a good uptempo rocker. "Away" kicks in before a minute. A nice crunchy sound here. It settles with vocals as contrasts continue. "Heartache" turns full rather quickly. Reserved vocals with riffs follow. "Rest In Peace" is uptempo with vocals. "Brand New Blood" has this hard hitting intro. Double bass drumming galore after a minute. "Fading & Falling" opens with gentle guitar and reserved vocals. Keys join in. It kicks in after a minute.

A good album but it doesn't suit my taste in Metal that well.