Album Notes

www.dissidentsaint.com

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Dissident Saint – The Rise
By Ryan Starr

I love hearing debut albums from unsigned bands. There are so many creative people out there bringing new ideas into the mix. Dissident Saint have created a sound that I don’t think I’ve come across before. On the metal archives their page describes them as progressive metal, but honestly I would label this more as a doom album. But if you wanted to use the prog description, every song would be a really depressing power ballad. But while it keeps with the doom tempo and atmosphere, it does have some prog elements which can be found in the guitars. The riffing is a little more technical than your traditional doom album, which is a plus because it keeps things interesting.

Another distinctive part of the music is the singer. He has a unique voice that I can only describe as a mix of Hansi Kürsch, Peter Steele, and Eddie Marcolin. I found it a bit strange at first, but I have to admit it’s began to grow on me.

Now, the most surprising thing about this debut is that it was recorded, mixed, and mastered by the band in their spare time. And it sounds fantastic! It’s better than a lot of professional recordings. Not only does Dissident Saint have a future writing music, but behind the mixer as well.

If you’re looking for a new spin on prog, or doom depending on how you look at it, I would definitely recommend The Rise.