DSG - Still a Warrior review

DSG - Still a Warrior

Pure Steel Records

http://www.davidshanklegroup.com/

Well, I think everyone knows MANOWAR and if you don’t then brother I have bad news for you. Ok. It is a band that has released some of the best metal albums ever and also it is a band that has created love or hate feelings because of its attitude. It is also known that some very good musicians have passed from the band through the years. David Shankle for example who is a talented and skilful guitarist was a member of the band through the years between 1988 and 1994. In 2002 David formed his own band under the name DSG (in the way that Michael Schenker has formed MSG) and he has already released 3 full length albums.

THE COVER: This is the cover that I expected to see from a David Shankle release. This is the kind of cover that reflects his epic past and also shows his attitude that has never changed through the years. It shows a barbarian warrior (who looks a lot like Conan the barbarian) holding his axe and riding his black horse. Around him you can see flames, destruction and dead bodies.

MUSICAL STYLE: This is the third release of DSG and if someone expects to listen here to music that is close to MANOWAR then you will be disappointed. David is a virtuoso guitarist and in his releases with DSG he follows a neoclassical metal path that is influenced by musicians like Yngwie Malmsteen and Ritchie Blackmore. In a few words you will listen here to neoclassical heavy metal music with some U.S. metal elements.

COMPOSITIONS: The new album includes 10 compositions that all have as common ground the neoclassical metal genre; however there is a lot of variety here. The compositions vary from harsh yet melodic to some that have a grooving hard rock vibe. There are times that the compositions here brought to my mind good old LIZZY BORDEN, but this has to do with the voice of Warren Halvarson. 

CONCLUSION: DSG without bringing anything new to neoclassical heavy metal, they do a fine job and offer us an enjoyable album where the good moments are more than its indifferent ones. I think that the fans of this specific sound will enjoy this release.

Nick “Verkaim” Parastatidis