Album Review: “Golden Dawn” by Dead Gallery
As someone with an eclectic taste in rock, Dead Gallery’s soon-to-be-released album “Golden Dawn” has proved itself to be an immediate favorite of mine. This album is a heavy mix of blues and psychedelic rock that is at times reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd while also including metal and stoner rock elements that I cannot quite pin down to a single band reference. This band is incredible in both technique and sound, creating a final product that absolutely tickles my brain as it shifts from deep and heavy riffs to dizzying solos. This is my favorite album I have discovered through band camp, and I cannot recommend it enough—although I am sure that my friends will soon disagree with me on that.
Track 1) “Black Night”
“Been thrown in this world but I’ve got nowhere else to go”
The opening riff of this song is subdued and melancholy, with a slight fuzz that adds depth to the otherwise clear electric guitar strums. The vocals, like the rest of the songs on the album, convey an intense emotion regardless of whether you pay attention to the lyrics or not. This foundation of borderline folksy guitar and emotional vocals progresses into wailing bluesy solos before finally sliding back into the quiet guitar strumming the song began with, preparing listeners for the intensely progressive rock experience that defines this album.
Track 2) “Golden Dawn”
“And all the souls are lost at night / In the aether of the crimson eye”
The first thing I will say about this song is that it is twelve minutes and thirty-one seconds. Every single second of this lengthy song is dramatic, with Dead Gallery playing psychedelic and blues rock with a thick and heavy sound that borders on rumbling at times, but without sacrificing the heady guitar solos psychedelic and blues rock fans will adore. Although listening to one song for over 12 minutes may seem daunting, the song is progressive enough that it will grip your attention as you are hurtled from genre to genre as Dead Gallery somehow manages to create a song that seamlessly shifts from blues all the way to heavy metal and back again. This is by far my favorite song on the album, and my only complaint is that it is not longer.
Track 3) “Quarter Past Illusion”
“Starless, faded black is united with unseen tracks”
The opening for “Quarter Past Illusion” reminds me of Pink Floyd’s “Shine of You Crazy Diamond.” This eleven-minute ballad takes its time but is never boring, using its slower pace to allow the instruments room to breathe, rather than blending together as they do on some songs on this album. Fans of classic rock ballads are sure to enjoy this track. Taking this foundation, “Quarter Past illusion progresses into bluesy psychedelic solos that will still have listeners levitating as they savor every gorgeous note while wondering if this is still the same song. This song forgoes the dark and heavy sound of the previous tracks, making it a must-listen for fans of bands like Pink Floyd and Cream.
Track 4) “Keep You Satisfied”
“You know that I’m gonna fade away”
If the first three tracks are too slow for your taste in rock, then you will not be disappointed by “Keep You Satisfied.” This song is progressive rock at its most fun, with an intensity that riles you up and makes you want to engage in a “Rocky” style training montage. Dead Gallery trades psychedelic rock for hard rock here, showcasing how this album refuses to stick with a single subgenre, but instead explores as many as it can, tying them all together with a sonic cohesion that seems impossible.
I will probably purchase this album, and possibly a matching shirt, once I finish writing this review. I am utterly obsessed with this album’s heavy and bluesy take on progressive rock. I wish that I could describe the nature of this album better, but it is varied and nuanced enough that it must be experienced firsthand. Anyone with any interest in blues and/or rock music should give this album a listen. This album contains some of the best modern rock songs I have heard in a while, and Dead Gallery’s wailing guitar solos are absolutely electrifying. You can check out this album on Bandcamp and Spotify, though Bandcamp fans should be aware that the full album will not be available on the platform until the official release on March 10, 2024.
