MUSIC REVIEW: DOGMA – Dogma

Label: MNRK Heavy

Release Date: November 17, 2023

Rating: 100%

Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

I love it when an amazing debut album hits my email but hate when it is so late in the year.  Why you ask?  I didn’t get to listen to it more.  The debut from Dogma is one such release.  This is full of rockers that will kick your ass from start to finish.  Disc opener “Forbidden Zone” is a killer rock track that gets you moving in your chair (if you have a desk job like me).  The groove, the vibe, the guitars, and the bottom end take you on an amazing rock ride that doesn’t let up for one second.  Listening through this track alone, I cannot wait to hear everything else here.  “Feel The Zeal” is one of the more contagious tracks on the disc and brings some amazing guitar work full of pings and squeals as well as some heavy-handed drumming that keeps the track anchored.  Be sure to hang out for the bridge that features the guitars and drums.  The vocals on this track draw you in and get you singing along.  “Made Her Mine” is a chugging rocker that has some great drumming and percussion paired up against a thumping bass line that helps carry the track.  I cannot say enough good things about this collection of songs.  This one is a little symphonic leaning, but it works well against the other tracks on the disc.  Listen close to the lyrics as they tell a tasty and nasty little tale.  “Free Yourself” takes things a step further with an almost tribal rhythm tossed into the mix underneath the eerie sonics of the keyboards and the guitar work that steps things up at times without overtaking the vibe and feel of the track.  The horns laced across the bridge add depth and allow this song to free itself and stand out amongst the rest of the tracks without sounding as if it doesn’t belong.  “Make Us Proud” slows things a bit with a track that opens with a cool guitar sound that is simple yet not lazy.  The vocal thrown on top is a killer lower octave sound that lends to an almost hypnotic feel that permeates and invades your space as it builds to a huge chorus that bumps everything to the next level.  “Father I Have Sinned” is a cool rocker that has a slightly different feel to it, but I cannot put my finger on the shift.  If it weren’t so straight forward and rock driven, I would say it almost has a pop sensibility woven into the tracks sound.  The catchy chorus and changing cadence build the track overtop the guitar riffs and squeals.  The breakdown that allows the vocals to shine is a cool addition giving us a glimpse at the band’s different sides from almost angelic to downright earthy when the guttural vocal kicks in at the end.

Let’s get past the obvious comparisons to Ghost that are going to come Dogma’s way… the Satanic leaning in the lyrics, the makeup and masks, and the heavier rock vibe all lend themselves, but that is where it ends in my opinion.  The modern rock vibe that swirls with an 80’s rock swirl is a great combination that keeps me listening.  “My First Peak” has enough guitar work and squeals to please any guitarist out there.  The chugging riff and bottom end are the perfect landscape for the vocals to run across.  This is one of those songs I find myself going back to time and time again while working away in my office.  The guitars are precise and a perfect companion for the searing vocals.  The slightly eerie keyboard outro is a nice touch.  “Carnal Liberation” kicks off with some spectacular drumming quickly joined by thumping bass lines and solid riffs.  Finally, the sultry vocals kick in and we are off and running on a keyboard laden rock and roll ride that combines the different textures and sounds of the rest of the tracks.  The tempo of this rocker takes over and I find myself wanting more with each listen.  “Bare To The Bones” screams late 1980’s Hollywood / Los Angeles rock.  The guitar riff explodes as the drums, bass, and keyboards join the fray.  The vocals tossed atop the mix punctuate the groove of the song.  The song is so pleasing sonically you can’t help but dig into the various layers of the song.  This track is the perfect earworm that won’t let go… and we are all better for it.  “Pleasure From Pain” is another killer rocker that swirls the different sounds and components of the other tracks to show how well the songs work in unison to deliver the bands purpose, principles, and commands.  The chugging riff that leads into a bottom-heavy bridge that also features a guitar / keyboard tandem gives this one of the more interesting interludes on the disc.  Disc closer “The Dark Messiah” slows the pace without dialing back any of the intensity.  If anything, this mesmerizing track prompts you to restart the disc as soon as the track comes to a close… trust me, there have been days this is the ONLY release I listen to all day.  I cannot say enough about this disc, or the overreaching sounds buried in the various tracks.  I seemingly find something new to love with each listen.  Parting comment? Check this out or miss out.  Now to pray and wait for a tour to hear these songs played in a live situation.

Tracklisting: Forbidden Zone – Feel The Zeal – My First Peak – Made Her Mine – Carnal Liberation – Free Yourself – Bare To The Bones – Make Us Proud – Pleasure From Pain – Father I Have Sinned – The Dark Messiah

Lineup: Lilith – Nixe – Lamia – Abrahel

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Category: CD Reviews