Search - DGM :: Dreamland

Progressive Rock that keeps you coming back for more

Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 01/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most people musically equate Italy with Epic Power Metal and with good reason, however they also have a nucleus of exceptional progressive and quasi-progressive rock/metal bands ie. New Trolls, Orme Le, Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM), Goblin, Finisterre, Banco Del Mutuo Soccorso and Deus Ex Machina. Even the excellent Progressive/Power Metal band Secret Sphere seem to have crossed over to full progressive on their newest release and popular goth metal band Lacuna Coil has always had a progressive feel for me. Which leads me to DGM. I know, with a forgetful name like that, it's no wonder hardly anyone's ever heard of them. Well apparently they use all their imagination on their music and didn't have any left for an imaginative moniker. Anyway as the saying goes you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, so don't judge a band by it's name. DGM On Dreamland at least, DGM, for me, has a strong resemblance the the kings of Prog-rock/metal, Dream Theater. Are they Dream Theater rip offs? I don't think so but if they are are, I don't care, they are making music like I wish DT would have made recently. The song structures are fairly complex and will take a few listens to fully appreciate. Dreamland uses a powerful double bass throughout plus a strong use of keyboards. The keyboard layering is quite dense and dynamic, still providing an overall a pleasant neoclassical feeling. The guitar work on this album is impressive, loaded with intricate solos and shredding in the background on each and every track. The many time changes and thick keyboard layering prevent any dull or boring moments from appearing on this disc and as I mentioned, remind me of Dream Theater Dreamland Dreamland is, in my opinion, DGM's highest quality release, including their subsequent release, Hidden Place. DGM has been around ten years and had garnered some notoriety in Europe with their first three releases, however with the addition of the excellent vocals of Titta Tani DGM became a force to reckon with. The addition of Tatta made their remarkable sound complete. Dreamland and the followup album Hidden Place are the only albums on which Tatta lends his enormous talents for Tatta has since, left the band. DGM: (Current Line-Up) Diego Reali - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Maurizio Pariotti - Keyboards, B.Vocals
Titta Tani - Lead Vocals
Fabio Costantino - Drums, B. Vocals
Andrea Arcangeli - Bass Song/Track List
1. Dreamland (DGM) - 6:59 (5 stars)
2. Eternity (DGM) - 7:09 (5 stars)
3. Lost in Time (DGM) - 7:03 (4 1/2 stars)
4. The Rain Falls in the Desert (DGM) - 5:17 (4 stars)
5. Reason to Live (DGM) - 5:33 (5 stars)
6. Ego's Battle (DGM) - 5:05 (4 1/2)
7. Lie! (DGM) - 7:20 (4 1/2 stars)
8. Sweet Surrender (DGM) - 7:01 (4 1/2 stars)
9. Feeling Forever (DGM) - 6:48 (4 1/2 stars) Conclusion Now I know that this music isn't for everybody and I certainly don't want you to buy something you won't like so, by popular demand, I'm reprising my plus and minus list for this album. Pluses first: 1] Music from Italy, something to show how worldly you are.
2] Resemblance to Dream Theater and Symphony X, a must have combination.
3] It's never been played on the radio and especially MTV.
4] You can experience great progressive rock and live to brag about it.
5] Show fellow music lovers how diverse your musical tastes are and make you seem debonair. See how many people you can fool.
6] Makes a great Xmas present for your mother in law. Watch her give you the evil eye and watch her squirm.
7] Your friends will ask you if that's a new D.T. album. To which you can reply, NO STUPID, IT'S DGM!!!!
8] Improve your sex life.
9] Impossible to confuse with Britney Spears
10]Has the Daumco seal of approval. Thats as good as money, backed by promises. I could go on and on but we need to get to the minus: 1] Finally try something daumco reviewed!!!!
2] Moon Goddess hasn't reviewed it, yet!!!
3] I might like it and never play Radiohead again!!
4] I'm not used to so much sex!
5] Your friends might say, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT? To which you reply Dream Theater!
6] I might not like it but realize I don't really like Good Charlotte either!
7] I might be so impressed that I might start eating raw meat and groping my co-workers!(Did Arnold hear DGM?)
8] I Might like it so much I'd have to have the other four albums, thereby causing me to spend money!
9] I might like it and be curious about other Prog rock bands, thereby causing me to spend money!
10]I might start to take Mr D's reviews seriously, thereby causing me to spend money. Well it looks like it's even, It's your call but if you like it and wind spending lots of money, don't blame me."

You Must Get This

Elton Lee | Boston, MA United States | 07/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being 1st time introduce by a close friend to DGM was a rare occasion. I had never heard of DGM before. However I only had the 1st 4 songs from the album on a CDR. It was not an album that I would be into as soon as I listen to it.... But a constant listen to those 4 songs change my view entirely and propel to an amazing musical journey. I soon realized that I was really into DGM because of their superb musicianship, songs writings and arrangements.. Vocals are truly magnificient and fit perfectly into all of their songs..... I therefore bought the album and since then enjoyed every single tracks that's on the album. This is an album where you have to really take the time to concentrate and listen to it. The more you listen to it you will discover new exciting parts or melody that will shines out brightly. Once everything sunk in, it is just an awesome feeling to listen to those songs over and over again. Songs run between 6 to 7 minutes... And getting a copy for yourself will really benefit it and make this an album worth every bit of it. DGM has come a long way from Italy and now they have finally made it. DGM rules big time.... Check out their new album too hidden Place. Superb accomplishments..."