Halifax hard rockers Dali Van Gogh have released their fifth album, Under Her Spell. After teasing the album with select singles such as “Get Away” and “Superman & MacGyver,” the five-piece posse use their dynamic talents to deliver a familiar, yet distinct set of energetic tracks.
The curiously titled “Superman & MacGyver” features a low-key, bluesy opening. It doesn’t take long before the band picks up the pace during the chorus. The opening groove later returns with some extra oomph as the track progresses between chorus verses.
“Down At The Hitching” doesn’t let up even for a moment. A high energy opening eases into a groovy bass/guitar combo that keeps the intensity going, topped off by a high-flying guitar solo near the end. The energy never stops.
“East Coast Witches” features a scratchy, supernatural sound accompanying the high-energy intro and hooks, appropriate for the title. The ever-powerful strings and vocals then continue to trade places in our eardrums throughout the track.
Johnny Moore opens “Have It All” with a charismatic drumbeat before the band joins him in a funk-esque stroll through our headphones. The lyrics and vibe make the track a very good fit for a suburban setting.
Elsewhere, “Outlaw’s Son” features a much more contemplative string melody opens the track, reminiscent of a walk through the desert at night, with increasingly loud lyrics prophesying the heavy intensity of the track’s ending. “When I Go,” meanwhile, boasts a very bluesy opening, with a multitude of strings overlaying one another. John Scotto begins to belt zestful lyrics right away, and continues to do so throughout the track. The strings stay relentless, effortlessly drifting around Scotto’s energy.
The standout track is the album’s grand finale, “Ships In The Night,” a perfect title for a Halifax band. Clocking in at 8 minutes, a peaceful beginning fools us into thinking we may be in for a more relaxed journey, but it doesn’t take long for Dali Van Gogh to begin their plethora of high-intensity rock and roll spells, each one bringing a brand new kind of energy from the last.
“It’s a very interesting album for me,” said Isaac Kent, guitarist and founder of Dali Van Gogh. “We wanted very natural, very real takes. Something akin to us playing live.”
“We hope it draws people in and captivates them enough to come out and experience it live.”
Tour Dates:
03.29.19 – Halifax, NS @ Garrison Brewery
04.12.19 – Truro, NS @ Belly Up BBQ & Grill
05.25.19 – Charlottetown, PEI, @ Hunter’s Ale House