Dagor Dagorath-Yetzer Ha'Ra

Last Updated (Sunday, 08 August 2010 03:36) Written by Miguel Blardony Monday, 19 July 2010 19:22

Date: January 22, 2010

Label: Twilight Vetrieb

Genre: Symphonic Black Metal

Rating: 5/10

Comments: You won’t know what hit you.

Among the better informed metalheads these days, it seems Melechesch and Orphaned Land are the Israeli bands who enjoy the most recognition. But lurking underneath our awareness of the goings in the Middle Eastern metal underground is Dagor Dagorath, a five-man army dedicated to the blackened banner who’ve quietly mastered their craft under the tutelage of Emperor and the symphponic cult. Such references don’t leave much to the imagination when guessing what’s inside this “Yetzer Ha’ra” debut. Since it’s been released by a small German label, these Israelis at least have the satisfatcion of knowing their product has penetrated the European market. All that matters now is if the album’s merits will hold the band in good stead.

Unfortunately there’s little throughout the seven long-winded tracks inside “Yetzer Ha’ra” this scribe finds praiseworthy. The band are ambitious, for sure. Once the immense opening salvo  of “The Hell In Heaven” (songtitles aren’t their strongsuit) pours operatic bombast down your ears—mammoth sized percussion and epic ambience included—you’re a bit thrilled as to what comes next. What does come next are ugly yells from Mr. Voreg amid a backdrop of predictable machinegun percussion and b-movie keyboard frills. Pasable at best what does kill your hopes for the album is when this chick starts to chant. Corny stuff, indeed. However, it’s the reckless disregard for song structure that torpedoes the band’s attempts at a memorable listen. Sure, black metal has its own rules (why, duh!) but if you don’t grab us by the collar and transport us elsewhere, what good does a six or seven-minute composition do?

Such gross weaknesses undermine the entire effort, resulting in giant steaming piles of black metal excess that sport ‘scary’ names like “Heaven In Hell” and “Wind Cry.” Oh yeah, the song “Wind Cry” is pretty decent though. It comes at the very end and has the kindness to drag for an agonizing eternity. Dispiriting this review may be, yet do not fear, for Dagor Dagorath also display the kind of potential that would elevate them above watered-down Dimmu borgir status. Smack dab in the midde of the album is a behemoth called “Maze of Madness” that thrashes with abandon and there’s even a smidgen of electronica on one of the ensuing tracks. Aside form these nuggets, *yawn*.