As 2013 is coming to an end I realized that I have left some of the better albums of the year un- reviewed. The Argentinean Dragonauta is perhaps the most notable. Dragonauta have been roaming the scene for 15 years now and ever since their beginnings I have been a big fan and for just as many years they are one of those bands that never even remotely received the recognition that they more than would deserve for their releases. There’s something to be said about a band that have been around for so long and are still kicking. Dragonauta, releasing their first demo tape in 1999, are one such band. Their breed of doom/sludge harkens back to the older metal generation while still sounding relatively modern and keeping a good sense of power.
If you liked the band’s previous material you’ll like Omega Pentagram just as well. Their music is like a bridge between the sounds of bands like Mastodon, High On Fire and of course Sleep and Black Sabbath and on the other side Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, Celtic Frost, Cathedral and good ol’ Metallica. “The talking snake II” and “Black horn messiah” are melodic down-plodding beasts with intricate parts coming and going, forming cohesive sounds that belies the complexity of the layered sounds. Although catchy rhythms and severely heavy guitar make up the majority of the release, some elements like furious but melodious guitarsoli, Frost-ian vocal variation and up-tempo nearly thrash parts, add to the total enjoyment of the album. In the end I will mention Alejandro Gomez and Daniel Libedinsky on guitars who are both brilliant, playing one killer lead after another. .If you liked the band’s previous material you’ll like Omega Pentagram just as well.
Only the future will tell us if things will change, but with Omega Pentagram the Argentineans have taken all the chances with them.