In the underground Metal realm we got some very specific examples of bands that let their sound to be evolved caring about the artistic part of the music. DRAGONDEX from Oregon, USA was one of them.
They were a very special case of a band thanks to their sound that highlighted an almost one of a kind combination of progressive and epic music.
Truth to be told there is not much information know about this particular band next to their name, their is actually a big question-mark in the big book of heavy metal.
The bandΒ was founded back in 1985 and in 1988 they produced in just 100 copies their one and only demo tape. This demo included four absolutely perfect songs that let the 80s RUSH vibe to be developed through a mystical, epic musical installment.
Yes just imagine the heavenly melodies of the 80s RUSH period -mainly in vocal lines but also on guitars- to be combined with some amazing epic guitar themes, giving life to songs that stand between melody and obscurity.
Through the years the band’s sound was evolved into a very special kind of technical, powerful and almost surrealistic Progressive Metal. Imagine a mighty combination of WATCHTOWER (first era), SIEGES EVEN (first album), REALM and TARAMIS (second album). Complex compositions that are based on a variety of rhythms, riffs and themes. A technical heaven of art.
Mentioning TARAMIS I guess they are a good example of a band that they began exploring epic musical paths, evolving their sound to an ultra technical installment (second album). So yes in here we got a similar with DRAGONDEX case.
The band’s post demo songs can be described as unique pieces of art were presented -and fortunately captured- at the DRAGONDEX live shows. The live versions of those tunes are the only ones existing as the band didn’t return to studio until they split in 1992. In a few words here we got a real a real treasure: The unreleased songs of DRAGONDEX.
Fortunately the overall DRAGONDEX treasure is now saved from oblivion, thanks to this particular Arkeyn Steel Records reissue. A project that was made possible thanks to the band’s bassist and founding member Scott Dorris.
“The Troll” CD contains not just the 1988 demo but all the unreleased songs that the band have played -and captured- live.
All the music gathered went to the magic hands of Kostas Scandalis at Infinity Studio (Thessaloniki – Greece) for the re mastering process.
The upgraded by Kostas Athanasoglou front cover is based on the original hand drawing of bandβs second drummer Mike Peterson.
Scott Dorris wrote all the liner notes himself and together with a complete set of photos and lyrics, a very special release is shaped.
This reissue gives everyone the chance to discover the music of a band that was surely ahead of its time. Not only the tracks of the (impossible to be found) demo but all live material is now resurrected as well, saved from oblivion and presented to a new wave of listeners.
DRAGONDEX: A real treasure of Oregon Steel, for the open and brave minds and souls.
“The Troll” CD will be released on March 24th, 2023 – You can pre order it here.