Dagoba first brought their furious sound to the masses with 2003’s ‘Black Nova.’ An album that echoed many of the big players of 90’s American metal, including the groove riddled riffing of Machine Head and industrial atmosphere spearheaded by Fear Factory. If this French quartet harbour a talent for producing menacingly harsh breakdowns within a dense wall of sound, metal fans are not hard-pressed to find this trick of the trade elsewhere in the genre. Yet Dagoba are wise enough to know it. Hence the desire to push their boundaries with the release of their new full-length record, ‘By Night.’ An instalment punishing by design in its sound, but also in its limitations.
Led by vocalist and electronic sound weaver, Shawter, the opening moments of ‘By Night’ are ushered in with an electronic introduction entitled “Neons.” Part heartbeat, part sonar pinging with some guitar noodling thrown in, “Neons” drums up about the same level of excitement as pineapple on pizza, never achieving the widespread appeal it was hoping for. Though some will swear by it. When leading single and follow up track, “The Hunt” kicks in, the stakes momentarily feel higher. Musically unforgiving, this brutal track alternates with moments of clean, melodic passages that spice up the dynamic. But the best moment on ‘By Night’ lies elsewhere. “On The Run” is an anthemic vocal duet centred around a simple piano melody and underlying electronic elements that gives listeners a glimpse into where Dagoba could go if they choose. Curiously, the female vocalist who guests here has been seemingly left unnamed across the Dagoba landscape. Which is unfortunate, as she is the true heart of this standout hymn.
As we venture deeper into the weeds, ‘By Night’ reveals itself to have peaked early, even as it succeeds in consistently generating moments of interest. And more of that echoing. “Summer’s Gone”, “Sunfall” and “Nightclub” sound akin to outfits such as Sonic Syndicate or Pain. Whereby Theo Gendrom’s drums oscillate between pummeling double bass and blast beats before meeting clean chorus vocals and yet another scattering of electronica. For those looking for something a little grittier, the monstrous “Bellflower Drive”, or the punk-infused “City Lights” come to life through guitarist Richard De Mello and bassist Kawa. When ‘By Night’ reaches its final moments, with the last of three electronic instrumentals, the final being “Stellar”, it is a broody and atmospheric finish that closes out this chapter.
If ‘By Night’ sees Dagoba continue to reference a multitude of influences, they combine styles and atmospheres in a way that never feels overwhelming, or akin to a wanton ransacking of the domain. Instead, with ‘By Night’, Dagoba seem steeped in retrograde with a vision, relentlessly moving forward in their pursuit of something special. A journey that has proven exciting to follow.
