Released
1997
Label
Self-released
Reviewed by
Michael Lund
Contact
Smidsestraat 58
9000 Gent
Belgium
Tel: (0032) 09/220 65 78
Visit
Last Edit/Update
28 maj, 1998
Diamond Dogs
FILE UNDER GOD
(Demo)
Track Listing
1. Drag Queen
2. Free Space
3. Carnal Confusion
4. D.U.S.T.
5. Hate Drives
Recorded on 4-track, when Diamond Dogs was still only a duo consisting of
Dominique De Vos (vocals and programming), and Filip Beyens (guitar and
programming), their first demo "File Under God" is a very promising effort. The
five songs included on the tape are quick, hard hitting and catchy; compositionally, the
tracks are nicely structured with many breaks and shifts in tempo; and, the vocals are
well written, humorous and performed with considerable plasticity on De Vos'
part.
Rapid, programmed beats and heavy
guitar riffs introduce "Drag Queen." A choir of voices whisper: "We love
you, please go away," and the song takes off with racing guitars, background screams,
machine gun percussions, and vocals sung in a haughty tone of voice. The song is brief,
and the pace is never slackened, but Diamond Dogs still find time to pull
off a number of breaks and guitar acrobatics. "Free Space" opens with
funk-inspired rhythms, and while the density of the guitar work is still high, this song
remains at lower revolutions than "Drag Queen." Synth percussions and
rudimentary keyboard themes pop in and out of the sound picture, and De Vos'
voice is imbued with a twisted sense of tenderness that nicely complement the offbeat
humor of his lyrics -- "You make your point, I hear you talk. / You move your lips,
then it's over. / I stroke your dog, I've seen it dance. / Like me it is looking for
cover."
"Carnal Confusion" is a
full-power punk-oriented teen-angst anthem. To accentuate the theme of confusion in the
song, Diamond Dogs use an interesting cut-up effect at certain points in
the song, splintering and fracturing the rushing forward flow of the song. For the chorus
segments, the song slows down for some low, earthshaking guitar riffs, and elegant vocal
deliveries. The next song "D.U.S.T." seems to lean more towards synths and
processing than any of the previous tracks, although the guitars and driving beats still
feature prominently. Samples are also used at the beginning of this song, and are
incorporated smoothly at select points throughout. With "Carnal Confusion" and
"D.U.S.T.", Diamond Dogs show a more experimental approach in
their compositions, and they manage to do so without losing themselves in the process. File
Under God has a consistent sound and style, but it is not a demo with five versions of
the same song.
The final track "Hate
Drives" is scheduled to appear on a compilation from Black Dahlia Records,
and it is certainly a worthy note for Diamond Dogs to end their first
demo on. This song combines the qualities of the other tracks on the tape, and is probably
the most representative song of this demo. The guitars are fast, but not quite as
aggressive as on the first pair of songs, there are sequences of power percussions, and De
Vos shifts nicely between harsh, sloganlike vocals and segments delivered in a strong
melodic tone of voice.
With the addition of live drummer (Peter
De Bosschere) and keyboardist (Koen Pattyn) to the line-up, it will be
interesting to see what new directions this band will take on the demo that they are
presently recording. Last Sigh will aim to bring further updates on this
Belgian band in the future; Diamond Dogs is a band to watch...
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