DREAMS OF DAMNATION 'Epic Tales of Vengeance' RATING: 7.5/10

By JEFF MAKI

Dreams Of Damnation's Epic Tales Of Vengeance combines ‘80s thrash with modern elements, making for an exciting and punishing album. D.O.D. features former Dark Angel guitarst Jim Durkin and the aggressive lead vocals of Loana DP Valencia. The band was formed in 2000 in Los Angeles, evolving into a five-piece in 2003. They already have played alongside bands such as Exodus, Kreator and Death Angel.

Valencia's anti-female vocals are similar to those of Arch Enemy's Angela Gassow, with raspy screams and deadly gutteral growls. And like Arch Enemy, no clean vocals are present here whatsoever. I have spoken to Loana before and you'd never know that her sweet, pleasant voice could be capable of these sickening vocals. If anything, her vocals on here are more extreme than Gassow's. The band's music is mostly based around ‘80s thrash metal, though standout tracks such as "The Bloodletting" and "New Flesh" lean more toward a death metal style. "New Flesh" is perhaps the strongest track of the disc. Durkin's soloing is amazing and his playing intense. It has to be to keep of with the lightning fast rhythm section of Miguel A. Moran (drums) and Rick Alsup (rhythm guitar).

In addition to an absence of clean vocals, you will find no melody here. Epic Tales... is meant to hit you hard, beat you down to the ground and not let you back up to your feet before pummeling you again. The seven tracks that make up this recording are vicious assaults of thrash, pounding you relentlessly. The best comparison I can think of is one part Overkill crossed with two parts Arch Enemy. That would get you close to D.O.D.'s sound. My only complaint maybe would be any real lack of variety within the seven tracks, but Epic Tales... is not a thinking man's album. It fully accomplishes it's lone goal: Destruction.