Face the Colossus [Digipak]

Dagoba's third full album certainly doesn't lack for confidence -- after all, what metal band wouldn't want something with a huge, bombastic introduction matching cover art with an appropriate-looking colossus in question: towering, multiple horned,and looking not a little pissed off? That said, while the French band is absolutely accomplished in their blend of rasping rage, power metal frenzy and flourishes, and general attitude towards their chosen field, they're also still very much a product of that combination and their favored bands hang heavy -- when the promo material mentions their love for groups like Fear Factory and Machine Head, it's pretty much admitting it straight up. As a result, songs like "Orphan of You," especially with its quite astonishing, tense instrumental break, are perfect pleasures even while making a listener remember where they first heard approaches like that. Still, this is a strong effort overall since the band more overtly aims for sweeping romance amid the manic performances than ever before -- "Back from Life" is where it first comes through, thanks to Shawter's absolutely killer work on the choruses both vocally and musically, keyboard chimes, and his yearning then screaming singing coming together just so. Similar moments, as when the arrangement on "The World in Between" strips down to little more than piano, vocals, and rough electronic beats before rampaging back in, and the brief spoken word/guitar moment on "Silence #3," which also features one of the best choruses going on the album, help Facing the Colossus stand out further. Meantime, going the murky instrumental folk march route on "Transylvania" is a nice twist, even if only an interlude -- but sometimes that's all you need. ~ Ned Raggett|