Liste der Bands Doom Metal Dawnrider (POR) Alpha Chapter

"Alpha Chapter" is the first album by the Portuguese (The only Doom Rock band I know from Portugal !!) of DAWNRIDER.

Often associated with the tag "Biker Doom" (just look and hear the first split Ep and the band they split the record), this band has something more to give. Yet, it's just a first album but an impressive one coming from the souther lands of europe where this sound is not popular at all.

The band recreates the imaginary of the 90's Maryland Doom bands where all Hard Rock of the 70's was an influence for making songs, not worried with the obsessive "true doom" of nowadays.
Songs like "Eagles Flying", "Shattered Love" and "Divinity revealed" cannot pass ignored !

The album opens with "Eagles Flying" an explosion of boogie metal, an ode to freedom from oppression with some sludgier-punk moment in the middle.
"Predator" is pure Trouble / Sabbath Dio-period worship and it works great with a solo by guest musician who engineered the album.
"Shattered Love" could be an Obsessed Song from "Church Within". The stoner-punk moment in the middle is precious, then goes back to the Doom rock again. As we progress, the liberation / protest lyrics fade out (caused probably by the old Crust band of Two of the members) and we go to more emotional / spiritual territory…
"Divinity Revealed" is another simple but great lyric, evoking the most epic doom moments.
"Lisbon Thunder" is a groovey really heavy rocking bulldozer with a story about the first portuguese Heavy band in Portugal back in 1971.
"Altamont Nation" (again, inspired in Obsessed ?) is a clever instrumental, evoking a groove and sensuality rarely seen (that's why I think this band deserves much more).
"ICBM" is an Amebix cover. I guess a result for some of them being old scenesters of the Crust / Punk scene. Didn't knew the original version but thanks for turning me to a great band !
"Keep on Riding" is pure heavy boogey biker metal : impossible to resist this song, if there's a "biker doom" anthem, it's this one… f**k yeah !!

The album ends with an unexpected Buffalo cover "Shylock", played with an angryness reminiscent of punk… And that's all, in 43 minutes of great music, I Realize I Have To Listen To It Again !

-On the back it says "WARNING : Play loud for best Results !"
--right On ! !