STAR TALES

Dol Ammad - 'Dol' derives from Tolkien's world where it means 'castle' and the word 'Ammad' is a Palestinian name meaning 'pillar/column'!, is the brainchild of greek keyboardist Thanasis Lightbridge. He formed this band in 2000 and since then released 3 albums under this name. Thanasis describes his music as electronica art meta, pretty much agree, because here are melted together elements from prog metal, progressive electronic, ghotic, classical music, the result is quite intresting. On this debute album from 2004 named Star tales he is helped among other by famous drumer from Sieges Even - Alex Holzwarth+ 12 part classical choir consisting of female/male members. The music is in parts highly inovative, I mean I never heared this type of music very often, this electronic melted with prog metal and above all with female and male vocalize is pretty much great, sometimes maybe are similar with Therion. The musicianship is top notch, specially in mid tempo moments where the prog electronic is more present, giving a very solid sound, great druming and great keyboards arrangements. On faster moments the band is no more so original, and in places is little cheese, but not bad. All in all a strange album, but in a good way I might say, all the ingredints to be something intresting are present. A well worth discover this band from Greece. 3 solid stars. Nice digipak with great booklet and excellent art work going hand in hand with the music.