Dancæstral: Rimargina

Hailing from Sardinia, Dancæstral are the first band from that part of the world I’ve encountered, so I suppose it’s only fitting that tying down the style of music these lads purvey is equally elusive. For while the word alternate comes into play, alternative what is the question? Is it rock, is it metal, is there an edge of extremity in there? In a variety of ways the answer to all of those questions is no and yes. Operating very much on their own, there’s a rough if decidedly ready feel about this outfit’s debut demo EP, Rimargina. The slightly ragged production actually working in the favour of the gritty rock revealed, although vocalist Diego Piu could maybe do with a slightly more sympathetic setting for his honest and impassioned approach. However, he fits his surrounds well and on the rather wordily titled “Gone By In Time And No Longer Existing� proves an engaging source of emotion as the music veers from full on attack to something much more contained and self controlled.

“Ben The Savior� opens proceedings, a surprising and rather beautiful acoustic lament the instrumental introduction to this EP, before the title track sets up the grungy foundation that much of Rimargina is built on. Think Alice In Chains with a slightly more hopeful outlook and you won’t be far away. “Life Is Like A Brick� is possibly the strongest example, as layered voice sparks keenly off an ever varying guitar attack, before the short blast of “The Thickest� almost sets a foot in alternative thrash territory via its guitar assault. But through its busy drumming and intentional vocal drone, things remain connected to what you hear elsewhere.

The last main song arrives in the shape of “Leydig�, where a little more light and shade is brought into the equation, almost bringing on a sing along quality in the process. However it’s an acoustic reimagining of “The Thickest� which actually closes this EP out and I have to say that it’s a bit of a struggle; Piu’s vocals over exposed in this setting, as hand percussion and thickly strummed acoustic guitar all sounds a little clumsy. In truth, this clear attempt to show a different side to Rimargina would have been better off left on the cutting room floor. However it is the only real clunker here and while things would definitely benefit from a more polished sound, there are real signs of promise to be found as Dancæstral set their first foot down on what will hopefully be a long journey.

Track Listing
1. Ben The Savior
2. Rimargina
3. Gone By In Time And No Loner Existing
4. Life Like Bridge
5. The Thickset
6. Leydig
7. The Thickset (Acoustic Version)

Added: June 18th 2018
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Dancæstral on Facebook
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Language: english

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