Progressive music is always a mixed bag which of course is the whole idea of that style of music but truly progressive music pushes boundaries and brings in unexpected elements. Whether it’s different rhythms or weird elements or out of the box type stuff, it’s the kind of music that’s challenging and not for the simplest listening experiences. Portuguese band Dream Pawn Shop are exactly this and then some, mixing a little more than the usual bag of tricks with their debut full length album “Carry Your Sins”.
Dream Pawn Shop formed in 2013 from Leiria, Portugal starting out as an instrumental prog band with strong jazz elements before venturing into rock and metal and adding vocals in their sound. The band made a few changes while trying to settle on a particular sound that really captures what they were trying to achieve musically and I think with their debut album “Carry Your Sins“, they may have stumbled onto something that could make way for a hugely promising career.
With the opening track “Trapped” you immediately hear a great production, crystal clear sound that’s warm and solid with all of the instrumentation involved on the same level. It does bug me a little when I see bands who don’t get the dynamics and sound levels right for all involved on the music, drums especially where, and especially in this case, is fairly important when trying to find those hooks and grooves. Luckily we don’t have to look too far for that as this song has a ton of groove and catchiness to it, the main riff just grabs you straight away while dynamically it has range with the vocals switching between clean and aggressively growly without overdoing it. Two thirds of the way in we hear what will eventually become the norm on this album and an aspect that is interesting in it’s concept but fittingly brilliant for what it adds to the music. A saxophone solo bursts in without a care and proceeds to add a whole new dimension to the song. Yeah it actually works and really well too, not in that 80’s cheesy sort of way but like a keyboard or a violin in many progressive bands, it’s another aspect that works in much the same way as the guitar solos work here.
Things just get even better from here and the real prog element begins to take shape as well as the more heavier aspects of the band’s metal influences. The band do take inspirations from such acts as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Devin Townsend Project and Faith No More but ultimately what results in this concoction of varied styles is a sort of Between The Buried And Me meets Dream Theater sort of sound with a bit of hardcore metal thrown in for good measure. The rock elements are still there and melodically anthemic choruses abound in all the right places like in “Slavery” but the jazzy and really out there kind of stuff are what works best here. “S.P.E.R.M.” is the first of many moments where things get a little nutty, it’s intensely both heavy and melodic with jazzy chorus lines and a circus-like madness that descends onto the song halfway through. Again the saxophone while not playing a huge part here, is added like salt and pepper to spice things up and remind you that it’s not just the guitar that can make things fun.
“Chromatic Energy” has a little Dire Straits moment at the start but an industrial tinged groove really sets this song alight while “Guild Of Fallen Heroes” is a little less groovy and more hardcore-ish with some saxophone led melodic moments thrown in. The album takes a slight detour midway but things pick up again by the time “Runes” kicks in for a round of atmospheric dynamics and chugging riffs. “Bricks” is another highlight of this album, guitar-wise it has a Pantera sort of feel to it but grooves nicely together while the show closer “Monstrosity” is a little musical conundrum, short but brilliant with it’s Dillinger Escape Plan influenced style but sadly ending far too quickly by the time you are in deep within it’s erratic and fun madness. Stick around for the secret ending too while you’re here!
Dream Pawn Shop have really done something cool, fun and unique here with “Carry Your Sins“. It’s an unexpected rollercoaster ride full of heavy and melodic riffs, twists and turns and some crazy jazz fusion elements that weirdly fit right in with all the music together. This is what solid, original music should be, it’s both fun and interesting and hooks you right in.
TRACKLIST
Trapped
Slavery (With Extra Steps)
S.P.E.R.M.
Chromatic Energy
Guild Of Fallen Heroes
Fifth Start
Mistakes
Runes
My Salvation
Bricks
Monstrosity
