Who knew Kansas was Italian? If all I knew was listening to this album and that the band hailed from Italy, I would have at least considered the absurd question. However there is a lot more depth on “Endless” than rehashing early prog-rock pioneers. Although known for their knotty progressive power metal, they lighten up musically to tell a rather compelling existential story that gets to life’s biggest question: What if?
Formed in 1994, DGM started out as an instrumental band named for the three founding members, Diego Rialli, Gianfranco Tasella, Maurizio Pariotti, none of which are in the band anymore. Like many bands, the early years had a shifting lineup, but they still managed to consistently release records every two to three years. The current lineup is the longest running lineup, honing their sound over the last six studio albums leading to the current offering of “Endless.” Although the band is steeped in power and progressive metal, this album shows a departure from the sound in “Life” by embracing elements from the 70s prog-rock era. In addition, this is a concept album that tells the story of a man who is looking back over his life considering different choices he could have made. Maybe less heavy musically, but making up in a heavier concept.
The opening of album makes very clear that this has landed exactly where they wanted: acoustic guitar with flute leading into aggressive gnarly guitar work that floats away into interwoven synth and guitar through dynamic shifts and tempo changes. When I say flute, it is an actual flute a la Jethro Tull and the violin in “The Great Unknown” leads to my initial comparison to Kansas. Lead singing hits the perfect spot here with melody and power, but not overly sweet. Although there is an open embracing of trippy progressive rock, the band still brings the metal to make it clear they are making this release their own.
These are some lengthy songs with eight tracks spanning almost an hour, with the last song alone at 14 minutes. Each song unfolds like scenes in a story. The band wields a wide dynamic range with patient meandering build ups that take time to reach the summit and then to mosey back down the mountain. Synth, flute, violin, guitar, bass, drums, and voice make for a rather rich palate that is used with restraint on these organically morphing musical shapes, keeping the listening interesting, dynamic, and not saturated.
I can connect the concept and music, though the lyrics are a little vague making the narrative somewhat open to the listener’s interpretation. I like it. Mark’s vocals are powerful in the faster songs “The Great Unknown” and “From Ashes” and toned down timbres for the ballads “Solitude” and “Blank Pages.” For many musical high points, the vocals have harmonizing backing vocals adding depth. The only drawback is that instrumental breaks are long and ubiquitous, leading my mind to wander off so that when Mark comes back in, he fits in so well that I forget to listen for words!
The musicality is so precise and sharp making something that is musically convoluted sound so effortless. Often the winding musical passages are doubled on an instrument illustrating that precision that is critical for being successful in this genre. The parts that I think add the most to this record is the flute. Starting in the opening track with the chromatic fall, the flute’s presence adds a new dimension that makes the album work well. And it isn’t just lead melodies, but the extended techniques in the background work of the heavy metal riff section in “Final Call.”
I find precious little to complain about here. It is a gorgeous release that I can listen to over and over again. This review would be three times longer if I pointed out each cool little episode on this album as it is a rich journey, with each listen yielding something new. The concept is apropos for the age as we can’t “Ctrl-Z” our actions and there is a possibility that we cause irreparable change with our choices, selecting a specific path for the future. If you have any interest in progressive music at all particularly if you have a taste for the pioneers of prog-rock, you must experience “Endless.”
Rating: 9.5/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist
1 – Promises
2 – The Great Unknown
3 – The Wake
4 – Solitude
5 – From Ashes
6 – Final Call
7 – Blank Pages
8 – …Of Endless Echoes
DGM is:
Marco Basile – vocals
Simone Mularoni – guitars, backing vocals
Andrea Arcangeli – bass
Fabio Costantino – drums
Emanuele Casali – keyboards, violin, flute
Release Date: October 18, 2024
Record Label: Frontiers Records
Discography:
Change Direction (1997)
Wings of Time (1999)
Dreamland (2001)
Hidden Place (2003)
Misplaced (2004)
Different Shapes (2007)
Framed (2009)
Momentum (2013)
The Passage (2016)
Tragic Separation (2020)
Life (2023) [review]
Endless (2024)
Social Media: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Bandcamp
Video for The Great Unknown
Video for Final Call
Visualizer Video For Solitude