Detailed Reviews [Daal - 2018 - "Decalogue of Darkness"]

Prolusion. Italian band Daal had quite the productive and creative peak back in 2018, releasing two full length studio albums that year in addition to the solo album released by drummer Guidoni. While each of these albums are solid affairs in their own right, for me at least "Decalogue of Darkness" comes across as the most interesting from the trio of studio albums that came from the Daal camp that year. As with all albums by Daal I have come across at this point, this production was released through their own label Agla Records.

Analysis. The style explored by Daal on this production is one that probably sticks to the border between what one might call atmospheric laden progressive rock and symphonic progressive rock. A case could be argued for both of these descriptions being the most proper, as well as for both of them to not truly being the most accurate description of the style explored. Needless to say, perhaps, that elements from both of those orientations are present. If there is a weakness to this album, then it would be the role of the Mellotron. To be able to enjoy the landscapes explored here, you really need to enjoy the sounds produced by that instrument. And for those with a passionate interest in this instrument, "Decalogue of Darkness" appears to me to be an album to note down in the must buy category of productions. As the album implies, this isn't what you would describe as a happy album. The piano appears now and then to produce melancholic motifs, the almost ever present Mellotron is used to create mournful sound tapestries, and additional keyboards and the guitar each have their role to play to emphasize a more dark and sombre mood throughout. More often than not we are presented with compositions that have some form of unnerving undercurrent, with words like ghostly and haunting coming to mind. This can be due to richly layered mournful soundscapes but also in more vibrant displays where the electric guitar takes on a more prominent role as the creator of tight, hard and dark toned textures and motifs. We also get some more off kilter constructions that create an unnerving mood by using unusual rhythm and tone details, and a couple of visits into more floating and ethereal territories of the kind I'll always associate with Robert Fripp and early 80's era King Crimson have a similar effect when present. Even in the more calm and careful creations, such as on the cello and piano driven 'Chapter IX', subtle effects are employed to make this landscape arguably more unnerving than melancholic in mood, feel and atmosphere. It is fascinating how the band manages to grab and maintain attention throughout this album, considering that it is an instrumental production and one that relies much more on mood and atmosphere than technical details, drive and momentum to maintain tension. As such I think it is a fair bet to state that this won't be a universally appealing album, but for those who get entranced by the landscapes explored here this is a production that will be regarded as a rewarding and hypnotic dark coloured gem.

Conclusion. "Decalogue of Darkness" is a production with a general appeal for those who enjoy instrumental music that explore the darker and more unnerving side of matters. And for those who treasure the use of the Mellotron and a liberal array of keyboard textures, tend to find early 80's Crimsonian landscapes intriguing and also enjoy off kilter details here and there, this production should be quite the enjoyable one to explore. With an additional positive to be added if haunting moods are regarded as being particularly interesting.

Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room