Dakesis-Surrender Your Fears/Overthrown
Birmingham based progressive metal quartet Dakesis have built an impressive reputation since their formation back in 2008 on the back of a series of a number of high profile gigs and festival appearances including performing at the likes of Bloodstock, HRH Metal and Power Metal Quest among others, consolidating their position of ones to watch with a steady flow of releases from their limited edition debut EP to a duo of critically acclaimed albums (Trial By Fire and The New Dawn).
2020 was set to be the band's year, prior to the current Coronavirus crisis, Dakeis had been hard at work in CapsaArx Studios with producer Matt Jones in preparation of the release of Fractures, the band's third full length album and the subsequent launch at the iconic Asylum venue in the heart of Birmingham at the end of March.
With all live events and life as we know it on hold Dakesis have to let their music (and videos) do the talking and the first tasters of Fractures do just that. Surrender Your Fears is a progressive metal masterpiece, three and three quarter minute's of galloping rhythms (courtesy of Annie Chatterley and Adam Harris, bass and drums respectively), molten riffs (Matt Jones), swirling atmospherics and the bewitching vocals of Gemma Lawler. Crunchy riffs lurch and strike out as Harris sets about attacking his kit, whilst high priestess, Lawler delivers her enchanting incantations, possessing the listener with a striking and soaring lead vocal. Surrender Your Fears is backed with a suitably dark and captivating video courtesy of Shaun Hodson of Loki Films, aptly mirroring and enhancing the tracks gothic theme.
The second track to be lifted from the album, Overthrown, is a lengthier yet no less impressive affair, a dramatic opening sees Dakesis weave symphonic elements with a flurry of metallic riffs and flaying sticks, whipping up an impressive storm from the bombastic opening salvo the band move into a more melodic passage that sees Lawler delivering a stunning becalmed lead, before the rhythmic duo and Jones propel the track on, a further volley of riffs, an inspired solo and Gemma's ever expressive voice leave you gasping for air as they bring the curtain down, just shy of the six minute mark.
The launch of Fractures may have been derailed, but on the evidence of the two singles to date, nothing will slow the momentum of Dakesis and their third album for long.
You can order “Fractures” and limited edition merch and bundles at www.Dakesis.com/Store.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWjMXBh_Too