“Wrapped Renaissance” is the debut album by the Italy-based groove metal outfit DOSGAMOS. The tracks have been written during the first lockdown, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. As reflection, the whole album is pervaded by a caustic, suffocating atmosphere, allowing the band to criticize the uncontrolled exploitation of the environment, as well as the oppression of our existences, operated by the governments and the establishment, just to bring more money to their pockets.
The songwriting takes its cue from two pillars of groove metal genre, Machine Head’s first two albums “Burn My Eyes” and “The More Things Change”, but this influence just remains a starting point, from which DOSGAMOS develops its their own sound, more directed to unexpected changes of tempo and rhythms in order to keep the tension high. While the rhythmic section proves to be both technical and powerful, the added value is given by the vocalist Michele Altavilla. His growl, melted with clean vocals reminding of Slipknot and Korn, delivers a claustrophobic, yet psychotic dimension to the whole record.
With the debut album, DOSGAMOS shows that groove metal is no longer a “younger son” of thrash metal, but it has become an independent genre with surprising dynamics and connotations. “Wrapped Renaissance” is set to be released on December 2, and it will be available on the main streaming and digital download platforms.
This week Dave Griffiths caught up with the band for a chat about the album:
