An unexpectedly beautiful release. Not because I never expected The Damnation Project to deliver something that good, but simply because I had never listened to The Damnation Project before. I didn’t know what to expect musically, yet the result rewarded me handsomely.
The Damnation Project were formed back in 2009, in Athens, Greece and since then they have released 4 albums. Their latest work that was released in 2022, entitled “4”, is -what a surprise- their fourth one. With a career that spans almost 15 years, The Damnation Project present a desire for experimentation and for taking risks that usually is lost shortly after the band’s musical youth. I don’t know yet how the other 3 albums are like, but for this one I can confidently say that it is made by a band with its creative fire still lit.
Having listened to the album and while I was listening to it, I noticed that The Damnation Project decided to compose a lot of ballads. Out of the 12 twelve songs, the 6 are ballads while the rest cover a decent musical range but I will get to that later. With blues/rock base and lead guitar lines, the ballads balance between the emotional and powerful of the rock ballads, resulting in an absolutely stunning result. Songs like the “Go To Hell” which reminded me slightly of Chris Rea, the “A Secret Walk To The Beach” which is the perfect soundtrack for gloomy walks by the seaside and the “Decisions” with its melodic and atmospheric style, are only some of the great ballads that are featured in the record. Small warning, they are, also, absolutely catchy, so don’t be surprised if you get hooked.
Now for the rest, The Damnation Project show a love for the progressive and the classic rock sound, while there are, also, a few hints of post-rock and particularly in the opening song of the album “Show Me”, some influences that reminded me of the Porcupine Tree. The not-ballad songs are upbeat, vibrant and exciting, with the personal favorite, and in my opinion most memorable, being the “Woman” with the ZZ Top rock ‘n’ roll elements, and the “A Game of Chess”.
In conclusion, even if you haven’t listened to the previous works of The Damnation Project, you should absolutely listen to this one, since it is a great rock record that I am hoping will land in many lists at the end of the year.
1. Show Me
2. Decisions
3. A Secret Walk to the Beach
4. I Can See You
5. Saturday Night
6. Memories
7. A Game of Chess
8. Go to Hell
9. Soul Kitchen Blues
10. Woman
11. Fool to Cry
12. Siempre
2. Decisions
3. A Secret Walk to the Beach
4. I Can See You
5. Saturday Night
6. Memories
7. A Game of Chess
8. Go to Hell
9. Soul Kitchen Blues
10. Woman
11. Fool to Cry
12. Siempre
