| Musical Style: Hard Rock/Metal | Produced By: Robert Sweet |
| Record Label: Dbeality Music | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2005 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 65% |
| Running Time: 36:29 |
The independent 2005 Dbeality self-titled debut is an album that defines stoner rock meets doom metal, ascertained in slow and plodding tempos, groove driven low end, bulky guitars and foreboding backdrop. When further factoring the Ozzy tinged lead vocals of founding member David Benson not to mention timekeeper and producer Robert Sweet (Stryper), the album echoes of an ‘all star’ project. Many will recall Benson from his solo material, having debuted in 1994 with the Holy Psychotherapy EP prior to following up with full-length efforts Purpose Of The Cross and Premonition Of Doom from 1996 and 1997, respectively. Likewise, Sweet requires little introduction with six albums to his credit at the time as part of Stryper.
I have owned the album since its 2005 release, and while I have come to better appreciate it over time (noting my initial review of just 25%) I still find it an uneven effort. On one hand, Dbeality is home to its share of finely honed material innate to marked hooks and riffs, albeit several listens were required in order for it to fully grow on me. Robert Sweet is nothing less an asset, and not only in terms of his creative timekeeping but also as producer in that the album presents with a clean separation of firmly placed guitar and evocative low end.
On the other, elements of inconsistency and repetition force me to skip several tracks. It also deserves note the lack of lead guitar in that guitarist and bassist Dale Green, whom worked with Benson on Premonition Of Doom, imbues majority of albums instrumental moments with rhythm guitar and distorted harmonies. I cannot help but think Dbeality might have further stood out if integrated with ample doses of galvanic soloing.
Still, Dbeality is not without its share of choice moments including opener “We Won’t Bow”. What we have is one of albums finest, starting calmly to reticent guitar ahead of crunch heavy rhythms cutting in and setting a surprisingly upbeat tone buffeting ahead. Song otherwise reinforces solid hooks alongside thrash style riffs that power one of albums stronger instrumental runs.
“Victory” tempers force to trenchant doom like territory. Riffs slog and plow and low-end batters with equal force all the while more than enough convincing hooks rise to the surface to draw in with repeat play- the ‘victory, victory through Jesus’ refrain refuses to let go. A haunting backend voice lends an extreme feel. Lyric snippet:
As one of the living
Do we count the cost
The gift of His blood, yeah
Shed upon the cross
The ultimate sacrifice
He dies for you and me
His death and resurrection
The gift of eternity
“Banner Of The Brave” is this reviewer’s choice track. It almost upholds a power metal feel - noting Sweet’s technical double kick drum - with a decided anthem like allure found in the sublime melody. That said song might have an added magnetic impact if knife like lead guitar carried the instrumental section.
“Only God Know’s” realizes as a portent doom filled ballad. Grammatical errors aside - noting the unneeded apostrophe - songs chills with its unmistakable grave and swarthy qualities as artist fittingly lowers his vocal register. Guitar takes a reserved tone only to expand at once to gash in and amplify the direful air to command. Greer has the right idea with his jazzy bass line, although I wish he had expanded upon the bluesy lead guitar. Lyric snippet:
Living a life veiled in silence
Your all alone again
Feeling that love has left you
Longing for a newfound friend
With a life torn all apart
Feeling your heart won’t mend
Only God knows
The pain inside you
After opening to four equally good songs, album moves on to its first skip button, “Great Deceiver”. Perhaps it is due to the abbreviated length at just under three minutes or lack of specific hooks, but song has never grown with me despite the passing of several decades. No, not terrible but there is also a repetitive element that forces me to pass, keeping in mind I see others embracing it.
“Children Of The Last Day” is another short song at three minutes but better holds up. What we have is a remorseless drubber, with wasting guitars aligning with a groove driven low end and grimly shouted backing vocals heightening the emboldened energy. There is a bit of a Saint meets Barren Cross thing going on here. Lyric snippet:
Signs of prophecy are upon
Are you ready for the
The returning of the Son?
Are you heaven’s eternity bound,
Receiving hell or a crown
You must accept Christ today
Children of the last day
Wake
A doom like ballad approach imparts “Fall Upon Your Knees”. Song reveals creative variances throughout, displacing between somberly direful moments sweeping to gently played guitar and others to see bleak harmonies impel to make an obtrusive statement. Perhaps it is the borderline Gothic funeral like aspects, but “Fall Upon Your Knees” rates with my favorites.
“C.O.S.” is second song in which I skip. It might rumble with similar mid-tempo authority as the heavier material here, but a redundant aspect rears its head to stand in the way of repeat listen- manner in which songs title consistently repeats wears thin. Again, I understand how others might take to it.
“Questions” maneuvers its span drifting between gradual doom-riff driven passages with a whispered voice echoing in the backend and others elevated to smarting rhythm guitar to elevate force exponentially. Either way, Sweet takes opportune to establish low end with his clever rolls and fills. Equally notable is manner in which “Questions” is one of the few cuts to feature legitimate soloing, no matter how brief it might be. Lyric snippet:
Trials of life seek to bring me down
To crush my mind and spirit
It seems darkness is all around
Not knowing exactly where I’m going
Warning strength and to be strong
To have faith while I’m growing
Can I be that man?
That man God wants me to be
“Reedeemed Part 1” - note the misspelling that incorrectly includes an extra ‘E’ subsequent to the ‘R’ - closes the album as a delicately done two-minute acoustic laced instrumental.
The Dbeality first and only album has a lot going for it in terms of not just the doom-like to stoner groove songwriting but also the David Benson and Robert Sweet partnership. When at its best, Dbeality shines with some choice material, but ultimately ends up held back by a couple skip worthy tracks. A bit more thought could have also gone into the albums instrumental moments- an added lead guitar emphasis might have gone a long way to elevating creative levels. It is disappointing we did not get a follow up release, noting manner in which “Reedeemed PART 1” (emphasis added and misspelling not corrected) implies a second album is in the works. Still, fans of the genres at hand not to mention Benson’s solo material are encouraged to track down a copy.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “We Won’t Bow” (4:43), “Victory” (4:16), “Banner Of The Brave” (3:22), “Only God Know’s” (4:34), “Great Deceiver” (2:45), “Children Of The Last Day” (3:02), “Fall Upon Your Knees” (4:22), “C.O.S.” (3:22), “Questions” (4:16), “Reedeemed Part 1” (1:42)
Musicians
David Benson - Lead Vocals
Dale Greer - Guitars & Bass
Robert Sweet - Drums
