Album Review: Die Ego - Culto
Reviewed by Jon Wigg
London based trio Die Ego present their debut long player in the form of this excellent slice of aggressive, doomy, groovy, riff-laden metal. Made up of Diego Fardel on guitar, Gabe Scapigliati on vocals and bass, and Dave Grosz on drums, these guys know how to write and perform riffs and rhythms and have a real feel of Down and Corrosion of Conformity about them. Most of the tunes are mid or slow paced crunchers and the performances from all 3 members are on point throughout.
First up is the title track, ‘Culto’ which starts with atmospheric opening before an almost classic metal gallop kicks in. Just over a minute in, the menace starts and this track sets the scene nicely for the rest of the slab. ‘Anger is Yours’ is where the Down comparisons start with some great groove riffs which slowly crawl their way across the track especially towards the end. ‘Demons Have Demons’ is another fine mid-paced chugger guaranteed to have most metal fans banging their heads in appreciation. ‘Treatment of Silence’ starts with a riff that reminded me of classic 80’s Queensryche if shoved through a doom box before the groove gets turned up again. ‘There Is No Tomorrow’ starts quietly with some excellent stick work from Grosz before my album highlight ‘The Grave’ takes things to the next level. A beginning dripping in classic doom before a ‘Raining Blood’ era Slayer type riff rips through the song combined with some fantastically intimidating vocals and a mid-song riff that while simple, ramps up the menace and really shows what Die Ego can do. ‘Don’t’ Get Close’ and ‘I Promise’ bring the album to a close, both fine examples of their work filled with enough atmosphere, doom and groove to satisfy this metal fan.
Overall, having lived with this album for a couple of weeks, I can say that it’s hard to believe that this is a debut album. Die Ego have played some pretty high profile gigs during their short career including the O2 Islington and the Camden Rocks Festival, and it would be easy to see them welcomed to larger venues and some festival slots in the next couple of years.
Fans of Pantera, Slipknot, Down and Corrosion Of Conformity should definitely get this album and all metal fans should check out this excellent album full of doom and groove.
