Music Review: Evolution Dolly Trauma
January 31st 2007 14:33
DT’s first Demo
DT’s first demo called The Present is Dim was out when I saw them the first time in 1999. This three song collection plus an unlisted track included: Stitch, Alastis, Placebo and Stephanie. Stitch and Placebo both start slow and smooth, but soon crescendo. Then slow until the energy is released again. Alastis opens with a heavy guitar. It is a powerhouse all the way though. It has always riled the crowds into a frenzy. Placebo has always been an audience favorite also. It was even played often on 88.9Vrock(or whatever they call the station now). But it was also in my opinion over played to the point where even the band decided to revamp it to freshen it up a bit, so it wasn’t so tired.
Stephanie is the slowest ballad DT has, I think. It’s like taking the listener down after the intensity. It is a rare treat to see this song performed live. The Present is Dim doesn’t quite capture the energy and emotion DT puts out in every live show, but it was a very good start and a must have if you can get your hands on it.
A Full Length CD
Within a year of my first DT experience rumors were getting around about the band putting together a new full length CD. They had already had a semi large set list of unreleased songs. Some could be downloaded. Others you could only hear live like So, Losers and El Cid being my favorites that I still don’t have good versions of on CD.
Then they started adding new material like And Manage to Cry, Amidima, Roy ect…This new list was what went on the new CD. All songs have the crescendo decrescendo of the best songs from their demo. DT comes together playing up each of their strengths for a sound some say sounds like Tool or Deftones, but I say sounds like their own. I believe you can still get a copy of this CD and its well worth it.
Side projects
Then came the era of the side projects. Not that DT didn’t do shows, just maybe not as often. Brad played more with Sofa King Killer, who he had been with since 1999. A truly harsh heavier “sludge metal” band. SSK is a cool band also and plays out more than DT sometimes and at a wider variety of venues. A must see band if you like your metal heavy hitting.
While Brad was playing with SKK Jeff and Josh got together to form SEVRUL. Maybe it was out of boredom, need to play music that wasn’t the same as they had been or maybe some other reason entirely. Their acoustic “depression core” music’s goal was to, if played at a party get everyone to stop what they were doing…or something like that I heard. It definitely wasn’t a CD you took to the gym. But I like it for mood altering enhancement.
A new CD
Eventually, the heavy aggressive rock and emotional core came back together. DT slowly, but surely added new songs to their set list again. The first I heard was Ampleaxu Tenebat. When I asked what the name of the song was I had to get it spelled out for me. Latin…?…
This CD seems a little bit more melody driven than previous releases. Jeff’s guitar work leads some songs more than Brad coming in on drums first. Not to say any of the others have lost anything. The way Brad and Jeff play off each other is still great. This can be heard in earlier songs like Placebo and newer songs like Iowagia. It’s even better to see it live. Ted’s understated bass and Josh’s haunty, poignant vocals brings the sound together perfectly.
I was a little disappointed in the number of songs. Its more like a longer Demo with only 6 songs compared to their last CD that had 11. That shouldn’t stop anyone from picking up The CD entitled The Loyal Oak at any of DT’s shows. I’ll be in Kent on January 21 to see them and Hate Theory At Screwy Louie’s. Maybe you will come join us for the fun and chaos.
DT’s first demo called The Present is Dim was out when I saw them the first time in 1999. This three song collection plus an unlisted track included: Stitch, Alastis, Placebo and Stephanie. Stitch and Placebo both start slow and smooth, but soon crescendo. Then slow until the energy is released again. Alastis opens with a heavy guitar. It is a powerhouse all the way though. It has always riled the crowds into a frenzy. Placebo has always been an audience favorite also. It was even played often on 88.9Vrock(or whatever they call the station now). But it was also in my opinion over played to the point where even the band decided to revamp it to freshen it up a bit, so it wasn’t so tired.
Stephanie is the slowest ballad DT has, I think. It’s like taking the listener down after the intensity. It is a rare treat to see this song performed live. The Present is Dim doesn’t quite capture the energy and emotion DT puts out in every live show, but it was a very good start and a must have if you can get your hands on it.
A Full Length CD
Within a year of my first DT experience rumors were getting around about the band putting together a new full length CD. They had already had a semi large set list of unreleased songs. Some could be downloaded. Others you could only hear live like So, Losers and El Cid being my favorites that I still don’t have good versions of on CD.
Then they started adding new material like And Manage to Cry, Amidima, Roy ect…This new list was what went on the new CD. All songs have the crescendo decrescendo of the best songs from their demo. DT comes together playing up each of their strengths for a sound some say sounds like Tool or Deftones, but I say sounds like their own. I believe you can still get a copy of this CD and its well worth it.
Side projects
Then came the era of the side projects. Not that DT didn’t do shows, just maybe not as often. Brad played more with Sofa King Killer, who he had been with since 1999. A truly harsh heavier “sludge metal” band. SSK is a cool band also and plays out more than DT sometimes and at a wider variety of venues. A must see band if you like your metal heavy hitting.
While Brad was playing with SKK Jeff and Josh got together to form SEVRUL. Maybe it was out of boredom, need to play music that wasn’t the same as they had been or maybe some other reason entirely. Their acoustic “depression core” music’s goal was to, if played at a party get everyone to stop what they were doing…or something like that I heard. It definitely wasn’t a CD you took to the gym. But I like it for mood altering enhancement.
A new CD
Eventually, the heavy aggressive rock and emotional core came back together. DT slowly, but surely added new songs to their set list again. The first I heard was Ampleaxu Tenebat. When I asked what the name of the song was I had to get it spelled out for me. Latin…?…
This CD seems a little bit more melody driven than previous releases. Jeff’s guitar work leads some songs more than Brad coming in on drums first. Not to say any of the others have lost anything. The way Brad and Jeff play off each other is still great. This can be heard in earlier songs like Placebo and newer songs like Iowagia. It’s even better to see it live. Ted’s understated bass and Josh’s haunty, poignant vocals brings the sound together perfectly.
I was a little disappointed in the number of songs. Its more like a longer Demo with only 6 songs compared to their last CD that had 11. That shouldn’t stop anyone from picking up The CD entitled The Loyal Oak at any of DT’s shows. I’ll be in Kent on January 21 to see them and Hate Theory At Screwy Louie’s. Maybe you will come join us for the fun and chaos.
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