DGM
Momentum

March 2013
Released: 2013, Scarlet Records
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Peter Atkinson

Given that I'm not really all that partial to prog/power metal, Italy's DGM have managed to slip under my radar screen – for nearly 20 years! So obviously said radar screen isn't all that effective to begin with. But better late than never.



Turns out the quintet – who take their name from founding members Diego [Reali], Gianfranco [Tassella] and Maurizio [Pariotti], none of whom are still with the band! - are more “metal” than “prog” or “power,” at least here on their eight studio full-length. And the trappings that typically turn me off with this sort of stuff – the flouncy keyboards, the incessant wankiness, the glass-shattering yowls – aren't nearly as off-putting here given the pronounced heaviness of most of the material.



Simone Mularoni's guitaring is brash and bold - in a good way - with loads of riffiness and crunch to go with his impressive leads. And with Fabio Costantino and Andrea Arcangeli providing a propulsive backbone, DGM boast plenty of heft and thickness.



The songs on Momentum are tight, punchy and engaging – notably the opener “Reason,” featuring guest vocals from Symphony X's Russell Allen, “Universe” and “Numb.” They reach right out and grab you, instead of merely sounding like a vehicle for the obligatory show-offy soloing – even though there is plenty of that from Mularoni and keyboardist Emanuele Casali, who have an obvious affinity for Dream Theater.



It's actually Momentum's more sensitive moments, such as “Remembrance” or the epic power balladry of “Repay” where frontman Mark Basile gets his chance to really showcase his lung power, that fall a bit flat. But when DGM kick it up, they score early and often. Glad I finally “discovered” them.