Of all the press quotes I’ve seen bandied about by artists as proof that their music deserves to be heard, none has disturbed me more than the snippet from Total Guitar magazine that Wiltshire-based band the Divebomb Revolution saw fit to include in their press release.

“Like the members of Deftones and Rush attending the same orgy” is certainly an interesting way to describe music, but if the intention of that particular writer was to encourage people to lend TDBR (as they call themselves) an ear, then I’d venture that he or she failed miserably. Furthermore, Rush aren’t really the type of band to frequent orgies, so one must assume that their attendance wouldn’t be voluntary. That being the case, the situation would surely more accurately be described as “Rush being violently molested by the Deftones” — which, quite aside from being a rather ghastly mental image, probably wouldn’t sound very nice, thus rendering the analogy totally unfit for purpose.

Happily, the Divebomb Revolution sound absolutely nothing like that at all. What they do sound like, however, is a talented prog-metal band recorded by an equally talented production team. The playing is impressive and, perhaps more importantly, consistent, giving the impression that even the more technically challenging parts were played with ease.

The recording and mixing side of things is similarly up to scratch, having been handled with aplomb by former Sikth members Dan Weller and Justin Hill. The album sounds impressively ‘big’, yet at the same time has a modern and in-your-face quality to it that lends the genre an oft-lacking contemporary edge.

Of making a heavy prog-metal album that still sounds accessible and mainstream, TBDR should be proud. And what better way to reward them than with a nice new magazine quote to stick on their press release? In keeping with the inter-rock-band liaisons theme, then, how about this: the Divebomb Revolution sound like Pantera giving ....Linkin.. ..Park.... a vigorous spanking, while Dream Theater and System Of A Down watch.


Chris Korff