Heavy Metal music is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when people think of France. However, the truth is that the French Republic has a rich history within the genre. Perhaps the most famously known on the modern scene is Gojira, but there are also others like Dagoba who are clear cut leaders.
With roots that run deep into the soil since 1997, their self-titled debut album emerged in 2003, but many would look to 2006’s What Hell Is About as a clear breakthrough. From here, they put out a series of albums in a consistent manner through to 2013’s Post Mortem Nihil Est which earned them the most international exposure. An album that found Dagoba on their first ever North American tour, now a decade plus removed, they continue to charge forward.
At this point with band leading Vocalist and Songwriter Shawter the only original member, 2017’s Black Nova was the last to include long time Guitarist JT and Bassist Werther Ytier. Following up strongly with a new team together for 2022’s By Night, now in 2024, Dagoba look to stir things up yet again. With Shawter in the lead, with him is returning Guitarist Richard De Mello, Drummer Theo Gendron, as well as Bassist Kawa Koshigero, and they strip things back a bit for something heavily embedded with a groove for album number nine.
Entitling the new LP Different Breed, and releasing it through Verycords on June 14th, they present listeners with an intense collection of songs that pop you in the nose, but then invite you into the chaos. Once again, different from By Night sonically, this new album is minus the more electronic tones, and is truly immersed in irresistible guitar grooves. Still possessing the unique atmospheric elements of prior Dagoba records, which leans to darker tones and sometimes nightmarish vibes, it is a rich tapestry of Extreme Metal that should please long-time fans, plus gain some new ones.
With Different Breed Shawter keeps the vocals balanced between his fiercer growls and cleaner approaches that make it not too overwhelming in one direction or another. That said, it should once again be emphasized how attention drawing the groove aspect of these songs are. Case and point, “Arrival of the Dead” may come out of the gate gently, but it quickly grabs you by the neck with heavy, thrashing guitars that do not quit. The same could be said for “Distant Cry,” “Minotaur,” as well as “At the End of the Day.” This is while there are plenty of other standouts, such as “Cerberus,” which balances many signature Dagoba elements into one for a very accessible Metal track.
All together Different Breed is an exceptional Groove Metal album that holds its own. These songs do not get lost in the shuffle and there is plenty to enjoy from start to finish within each subsequent listening session. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Different Breed 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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