On disc: DSG

 
- Ashes To Ashes
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
- a href="#Hellborn_CE">Hellborn
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Hellborn

(Magic Circle Music - 2007)



 
 

 

Manowar fans know the former guitarist of the kings of metal and others might only know Ashes To Ashes of DSG - David Shankle Group - which was released back in 2003. And in a way he disappeared again from the scene. On Hellborn Mr. Shankle worked with 3 musicians who aren't well-known, but extremely talented. They start into the album with Asylum God an fast power metal tune with double-bass drum attacks, pounding bass and heavy riffs. Brad Sabathne is the drummer and the bass is played by Jeff Kylloe, some might heard about his work with George Bellas. On top of it you hear the powerful voice of Dennis Hirschauer who also wrote all lyrics. During the chorus they slow down a little and the catchy vocals you won't forget soon! With the following The Lie they push down the accelerator a bit more! Fast melodic guitar lines are combined with great hooks - and that's actually what is this album about. True power metal with catchy vocals and some short, but sharp neoclassical guitar solos. At the same time they sound very modern, even if the genre don't really sound like that. Very heavy and with fat riffs the title track surprises the listener and shows that Mr. Shankle is influenced by different genres and that he is able to weave them into his music. An epic balladesque powerful track they offer with When Is It Wicked which is emotional and powerful at once. This one would even work in an acoustic version. Due to the power and the guitar riffing it never gets cheesy. On Sins And Promises they remind me a bit of a very heavy and less progressive version of Threshold... Perhaps it's only the vocals... But anyway, a great tune.

Especially guitarist should be impressed by the last track, the instrumental The Voyage (An Instrumental Shred Fest). The song presents guitar solos by TD Clark, Joe Stump, Michael Angelo Batio and David Shankle - in that order.

Everybody who loves bands like Metal Church, Vicious Rumors, Iced Earth and Annihilator should love this one, too. A real gem which is a must-buy for all power metal fans! Hopefully they get the chance to promote this album, but with Manowar mastermind Joey DeMaio as their mentor they should be able to do so.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Ashes To Ashes

(Magic Circle Music - 2003)



 
 

 

I think I don't have to explain a metal fan who David Shankle is, but for the ones who just discovered this kind of music... From 1988 to 1995 David Shankle was the guitarist of Manowar and together with mainman Joey DiMeo he wrote Master Of The Wind which was released on the album The Triumph Of Steel (the album got Gold!).

So it's no sur­prise that DSG - David Shankle Group - presents US metal, but Mr. Shankle isn't just doing hyperfast guitar lines. On The Widow's Grief the band slows down and shows a different side of DSG. Actually the 13 tracks show a large variety, heavy rocking metal, epic ballads and rockers. Sometimes they add unusual elements from classic music to jazz! But all songs are definitely metal! Shankle had a vision and luckily a friend of David the singer Trace Zaber is a long time friend and they worked to­gether in the past, so he didn't need to look for the perfect singer. They were fortunated to find other musicians who were interested to follow this musical path.

The power ballad Calling All Heroes is showing the more mellow side of the quintet. Singer Trace as well as the rest of the band reduce the power, step back a little to create a powerful ballad. But most of the tracks are up-tempo or at least mid-tempo. The Americans present a decent album, if it can make it... Well, it depends on. Many bands play this kind of metal, perhaps they aren't as talented, but they already made themselves known. DSG are just started and if the media supports them and if they get the chance to tour, then they do have a chance. In the meantime listen to Ashes To Ashes, Secrets and Madness.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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