Dagon - 'Terraphobic'

Concept albums are very common in metal, where a band will take a single theme and base all lyrics on an album around that theme. Not quite as common are bands who base all their albums around the same lyrical theme. There are a few folk metal bands who use Tolkien as their muse, and of course Viking mythology is another common theme.

Lansing, Michigan's Dagon bases their albums and songs around oceanic themes, at least they have so far. Terraphobic is their second full-length, and they've also released a couple of EPs. Dagon calls their music "oceanic thrash," and there are also considerable death metal influences.

The songs on Terraphobic are heavy and intense, but also catchy with strong melodies. "To The Drums We Rise" features both groovy death metal riffs and more ominous black metal style guitar parts. Guitars are front and center, showing a lot of versatility in riffing styles and soloing. The pinch harmonics (guitar squeals) are a bit overdone, however.

Dagon's vocals are mainly guttural death metal growls, but higher pitched black metal screeches are used periodically, adding some diversity. The vocals are also mostly understandable, which isn't always the case in music this extreme.

(released April 21, 2009 on Bombworks Records)