SadDoLLs is a Deathwave band from Athens, Greece first appearing on the scene in 2007 with their EP Death in the Dollhouse. After some line-up changes the current dolls are George Downloved (vocals), Paul Evilrose (guitars), J.Vitu (guitars), GB (bass) and St.Gus (drums). To give an idea of where this dark journey goes, their sound is crafted by main-songwriter Evilrose and singer Downloved, who sounds similar to outstanding former Charon singer JP Leppäluoto and when growling like Dearthstars’ Whipplasher Bernadotte. In Europe the band is noticed for supporting such bands as 69 Eyes. At last years Dark Storm Festival (Germany), the band had the chance to present their atmospheric sound, which belongs somewhere between classic Finish Gothic-Metal bands like To/Die/For and the aforementioned Charon to more darker acts like Deathstars, to a bigger audience for the first time. Their newest album Grave Party is the dark-rockers third full length album and a follow-up to Happy Deathday (2012). So some of you might ask, if the world needs another dark-rock band like the ones mentioned above? The answer is a resounding yes and the reason being SadDoLLs provides a list of Goth-Rock songs with great hook-lines, flavored with a lot of EBM-influences wrapped up in one package called Grave Party.
Grave Party starts with the EBM-like instrumental intro-song “Rave to the Grave”. It’s a pity this beginning ends so quickly, as its melody is pure ear candy. Directly following it is the song “Lady Cry“, which is also the first video-release off the album. Here the band show off their skills in presenting a Goth-rock song the way it should be, with a verse and chorus carried by a nice hook-line which will not disappoint any dark-sound lover. The atmosphere is melancholic but rocking at the same moment. With the next track “Terminate Me”, SadDoLLs offers listeners the other side of the sound; more dirty and featuring a guest appearance by Deathstars vocalist Skinny Disco which brings his own flavor to dance.
The quality level of the music is kept high with songs like “Bleed Sister Bleed” and “Dancing shadows”. The track “The Last Valentine” marks another highlight with its back-breaking sadness, staccato guitars and earworm chorus supported by female singing of Joanna David. The band again has its strongest moments here, mixing electronica loops with hard hitting melodies. This style will make listeners want to put the song on repeat. The same caliber strength is felt on the up-tempo song “You Make Me Feel Like Nothing” which should work in dark-dance-temples. The album closes with the wonderful ballad “On The Road 66”.
Grave Party is the type of album which should lift SadDoLLs to the next level in their career. The album carries an authentic sadness, desperation, and anger that leaves you feeling maybe life is not so simple in crisis shaken Greece. This band definitely deserves your attention, you should not be disappointed! CrypticRock gives 4.5 out of 5 stars for an almost perfect dark-rock-album!
- Inverse Records
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