“Five Signs of Malice” is, by and large, for anyone who manically worships classic doom metal, deeply rooted in the hippie culture of the 70s, with powerful guitar riffs in the SABBATH vein. I am sure you guys are going to like this album. I, for one, think that “Five Signs of Malice” is a tad overloaded with keyboards. I love the way Hammond organs sound, that’s for sure. But there`s too much of it, lock stock and barrel.
Keyboards are undeniably this album`s main instrument – not guitars, which is usually the norm. Anyhow, these songs are really intriguing.
There is a lot going on, on this album.
The riffs (although softened by Hammond`s) are still very powerful. Filipe Relêgo`s vocals are sharp and strong, making this album very well balanced.
Yes, indeed, his vocals are one of strongest points.
DAWNRIDER can, rather skillfully, recreate the 70s atmosphere. They are influenced by such bands as BLACK SABBATH , URIAH HEEP or PENTAGRAM as well as, to a lesser degree, ARKHAM WITCH, COUNT RAVEN, ORANGE GOBLIN, TROUBLE or SKULL.
Nothing wrong about it since these bands have been shaping and re-shaping the doom metal genre for decades.
And, as a result, the genre itself has become even more fecund.
This is the very case of “Five Signs of Malice.” This music is truly spirited as it is loaded with a solid dose of emotions, capable of enchanting and enslaving its listeners.
The way all songs are interconnected, creating a precise and intricate entity, is truly noteworthy. In my view, this DAWNRIDER`s fourth album is band`s most sophisticated, multidimensional and mature one. Unless you already did, you need to get this full-length recording.
