Reviewed by Marcello Catozzi

Artist: DIMMI ARGUS
Album: Bad Dream
Released: 2013
Label: Tanzan Music

A new star is shining in the dark: the album ‘BAD DREAM’, by DIMMI ARGUS (Dimitar Argirov), Bulgarian artist (singer, composer and producer), who founded the band in 2007. Previously (2010) the rocker had published an EP titled “Black and White”, and a DVD “Live at Rock Bar Fans”, in which all the qualities of the frontman can be appreciated.

Tracklist:
1. Black and White
2. Bad Dream
3. Wish I could
4. Victims of the Nightmare
5. From the Grave
6. Into the Void
7. Pray for our Souls
8. This Silence
9. My Way Home
10. Into the Forest
11. Black and White Radio Edit

The line-up of the band is the following:

– Dimmi Argus    vocals – keyboards
– Filippo Spezia    bass – backing vocals
– Matteo Calza    guitars – backing vocals
– Andrea Cassinari    drums

The first riffs of BLACK AND WHITE sound familiar, traditionally hard and heavy, but with a clean voice that balances the rude sound. We could define this mix simply “old school”. The guitar solo is rich and well done, very “eighties–style”. The lyrics are spontaneous and considerable: “I only wanna rock ‘n’ roll, to play my songs only for you, with my metal band. What you believe, I understand, all you wanna hear, all you wanna see, that’s what I am”. Also in the title-track BAD DREAM the riff reminds me of well known sounds, of classical memories. The refrain is very strong and remains in the ears for a long time: “Moving shadows, come again. Darkness falls down and eats the day. Creeping spiders fill my bed. Rocking monsters from the hell…”. The vocal performance is remarkable, and the instrumental parts are very weighty.

With WISH I COULD comes a ballad, characterized by a sweet arpeggio and a brilliant voice, able to sing sweet melodies and give emotions over to the listener. In the second part the song gets stronger, with a hammering refrain and an intense solo. VICTIMS OF THE NIGHTMARE is a dark prelude that gives shivers and leads us through a devilish fog to the next track. FROM THE GRAVE has typical sabbathian (early days) riffs, that dominate the whole song, powerful and very tough: “God bless you, have a rest in peace, be happy in your grave forever”! The guitar solo is quite expressive and the bass job has a sound that reminds the master (Geezer).

INTO THE VOID is a tribute to Black Sabbath (Ozzy era), with which Dimmi & Co. celebrate the famous Monsters of the Past with full respect and faith. After this cover, we carry on walking through the graves in the sign of the classic Heavy Metal: PRAY FOR OUR SOULS is satanic and dark, powerful and potent, with a guitar solo that rises from the depth of the darkness illuminating the apocalyptic scene of this song.

After the earthquake of the previous track, in THIS SILENCE Dimmi’s voice brings a bit of serenity and creates a magic atmosphere until the moment of the guitar solo, particularly tough and well-built. The vocal performance is emotional and the whole sound is one to remember. The walk through this “Bad Dream” becomes more interesting with MY WAY HOME, since the beginning with a thick and tremendous riff, hard & heavy, and a rhythmic session that keeps the whole track alive and dynamic.

With INTO THE FOREST we enter in a suggestive world: the sound of the drums prelude another typical sabbathian big riff. And the terrific spell gives shivers: “It’s time to sacrifice”! The track is a modern remake of an old Bulgarian folk song, arranged in Metal style. BLACK AND WHITE RADIO EDIT (Digital Editing Bonus Track) closes the album: it’s a shorter version of the track number 1, made for the radio.. After listening to this work, the immediate sensation is a kind of satisfaction, just because the album has deep roots in the old classic school, with all the components and ingredients that the tradition needs. The structure of the tracks, the care of the production and a typical sound are the most important gifts for all fans of Metal and Hard Rock.

We all know that today it’s not easy to bring new ideas in this kind of music, where everything has been said and done. Anyway the stainless Dimmi and his young fellows show pride, coherence, courage and faith, and great artistic qualities.

To conclude this review, we can be appreciated express the hope to see the band on stage very soon.

The album (except the tracks n. 3 and n. 7, recordered at Music Manor Studio in Brescia) has been recorded and mixed at Tanzan Music Studio in Lodi by Daniele Mandelli. The mastering has been made by Timo Tolkki, at Studiotolkki di Hensinki (Finlandia). The cover has been realized by Ilyk Design & Photography of Sofia (Bulgaria).
Label: Tanzan Music. Official site: http://www.dimmiargus.net