| Natas/Dragonauta Split (Split CD) | 2000 | Icarus Records |
I was lucky enough to get Dragonauta's self-titled demo earlier this year. That demo has been improved upon and now has better sound, and forms the other half of this split.
There's no doubt as to the doomy nature of this band, but these guys are no Sabbath rip-offs, or even Wino wannabes for that matter. As the disc says, this is "30 minutes of pure magic doom, heavy on the drugs, please". The renderings of mushrooms on the inner sleeve tip you off, not to mention song titles like 'Guardian del Hongo' (Mushroom Hound).
The music is first-class doom: long songs, quiet, meandering sections contrasted with loud, crashing guitars and drums, and clean, double-tracked, expressive vocals. Vocalist Federico Wolman pushes it to the limit, from easy singing to demonic screaming and laughter, whilst guitarist Daniel Libedinsky proves himself to be a "Rey de las Chuleta" (master of chops), with his mind-death feedback and wah-wah attacks. The rhythm section, composed of bass player Martin Mendez and drummer Ariel Solito, weave in and out of the mix, providing finesse or hitting you over the head with a tire iron as needed.
And check out the band photos - those are some cool 70s-looking dudes. It's obvious that these guys know their psychedelic and doom history, the song-writing shows careful attention to the craft with thousands of hours of music listening behind it.
Anyone into Sabbath, Obsessed, Cold Mourning, Spirit Caravan, etc. should do themselves a favour and get hold of this.
Natas:
1. Xanadu
2. El Pappo
3. El Convoy
4. Tiempes Violentos
5. Bodokentorten
Dragonauta:
6. Astroinfierno
7. Hombre Monstruo
8. Guardian del Hongo
9. Profeta del Mar
Approx. 54 minutes
| Luciferatu (CD) | 2003 | Dias de Garage |
In the interest of maintaining that all-important writer/reader trust, I should disclose to you that I've been corresponding with vocalist Federico Wolman for about 3 years now. I was the first person outside Argentina to score a copy of their Sabbathy demo, which was later reworked and included on a split with Natas. I also have an unreleased demo from a couple of years ago, which indicated even then that Dragonauta was not going to sit on its Sabbath for very long. Anyway, Federico is a man of the highest integrity; it would give him the horrors to think that our friendship would affect this review.
In fact, if anything it raises the bar. In the interest of being fair, I may have been harder on this album than on some unsolicited disc I received in the mail. No matter, because even under a rather severe version of the critic's microscope this album smokes the doom, working its juju until you're addicted enough to play it daily. At least, that's how it's been for me. The album is best characterized as progressive doom, with long songs mixing in every genre from blues to psychedelia to metal to doom to stoner to jazz to flamenco, for God's sake. The astute listener will pick out shards of better-known bands like King Crimson and Sabbath, combined with early 70s Argentinian music made by the likes of Vox Dei or El Reloj.
'Bruta-Vu/Hijo del Diablo' is a good portrait of tuneage to come. It's characterized by Federico's powerful, rough yet melodic vocals, which sound like Tom Warrior wrestling Dave Sherman with Lee Dorrian officiating, mixed into a 5-alarm stew of progressive metal, complete with lots of rhythmic changeups, hot guitar leads, and let's not forget some tasty cowbell. Whew. The pagan 'TomegaPentagram' has some nice guitar reverb reminiscent of that early prog sound, while 'Vidreo Negro' is quite jazzy, with a flamenco guitar outro. 'Anthologia de un Hombre Santo' kicks it old school with an extended drum solo from Ariel Salito straight from your favorite 70s stadium show, while 'N.I.G.' is the doomiest track of all.
Despite the many and varied influences, there's no doubt that this is a top-flight doom album. You can tell these guys took the magic and practice, practice, practice! There's no substitution of attitude for ability here; Dragonauta has earned every doomed note of this album with sweat, knowledge, and chops. If you've heard the split with Natas then be prepared, because this band has developed far beyond the Sabbathisms of yore. And don't forget to check out the Hellhound-label style artwork. Let's Doom!!
1. Bruta-Vu (Hijo del Diablo)
2. TomegaPentagram
3. Vidrio Negro
4. The SuperChrist
5. Antologia de un Hombre Santo
6. Powerchild
7. Funeral Magico
8. N.I.G.
Approx. 56 minutes
| Abdullah / Dragonauta (CD) | 2005 | Dias de Garage |
Yep, it's become hard to predict exactly where Abdullah will go next, though they always respect their old school doom roots. Its been three years since their last official release, so those of us who've followed them since 2000's great 'Snake Lore' demo have been gritting our teeth with impatience. No worries, 'cause this split is some of their best work yet, with songs of melody and power that aggressively wed Sabbathian doom with an ever-expanding NWOBHM influence and more than a dash of hardcore. Past demos have prepared listeners for this, but not for the maturity and beauty - yes, I said beauty! - of the execution. This is simply great songwriting and even better ensemble playing, running the gamut of musical influences from Trouble, Maiden, and Witchfinder General to Hidden Hand, Place of Skulls, and Budgie. And call me crazy, but the vocal chorus on 'Brightest Day' reminds me of late Celestial Season, a now-defunct Dutch band of whom Abdullah may well never have heard. The rhythm section is tight and in the pocket, the guitars are keg-smooth with excellent leads interspersed, and the vocals are clean, versatile and emotive. The only bump in the road would be the hardcore-influenced 'Killing for Culture', which is more of a matter of personal preference than anything else. Abdullah exalts the spirit!
Dragonauta, on the other hand, plumb the depths of evil, morphing away from the prog/doom approach of their 'Luciferatu' disc and presenting us with more of a Sabbath-meets-Venom approach this time around. Not that the prog change-ups are gone, oh no. They've simply added more to their meaty stew, more bleeding flesh to tear into. Here's a baker's dozen of influences; no doubt you'll be able to name several dozen of your own: El Reloj, Vox Dei, Celtic Frost, Flied Egg, Hawkwind, Sabbath ('natch), Cosmic Dealer, Thee Frantics, Obsessed, Q65, Count Raven, Motorhead and La Pesada. Eschewing the English lyrics of previous efforts, Federico Wolman's vocals are all in Spanish, gargling blood and razors while exploring hideous occult depths in a virtual black metal style. Bien de machos! Indeed! The playing presents a melodic counterpoint; there really seems to be nothing this band of prodigal sons cannot play! They're that good. Is it doom? I'll say yes, though Sabbath purists will disagree. One thing's for sure; there's no violins and hand wringing. This is doom for carnivores! Don't neglect to listen to the last couple of songs, which are live versions of songs from 'Luciferatu'.
The Dias de Garage label has proven that they've got an eye for quality and plenty of love for the music. Show 'em some love of your own by picking up what will surely be one of the year's best discs.
Abdullah:
1. Seven Doors
2. Grey Sky Faith
3. Blossom
4. Brightest Day
5. Killing for Culture
6. With Guilt
Dragonauta:
1. Ramera del Diablo
2. Revolucion Luciferiana
3. Letargo Espiritual
4. Bruta Vu (Hijo del Diablo) (live Version)
5. Tomegapentagram (live Version)
Approx. 55 minutes