Dali Van Gogh

The next band was one that I'd heard of but never listened to or seen, Dali Van Gogh, a seasoned group based in Halifax. These guys had a crazy stage presence, particularly lead singer Marcel Macneil and lead guitarist Isaac Kent. It's clear these guys are no stranger to live shows. Their sound was rugged and vibrant, reminiscent of early years AC/DC and Led Zeppelin slashed through with a more modern-sounding crunch on the guitar work. Very good stuff from a very good band. As I understand it, they're off to PEI in November, hinting that these guys are expanding their circle at an impressive rate. They have an EP of their own underway—Verbal Warning—but it's not available for purchase yet (our loss). However, they have the album-ready tracks up on their Myspace, which I've linked to below. - Independent Journalist

The next band was one that I'd heard of but never listened to or seen, Dali Van Gogh, a seasoned group based in Halifax. These guys had a crazy stage presence, particularly lead singer Marcel Macneil and lead guitarist Isaac Kent. It's clear these guys are no stranger to live shows. Their sound was rugged and vibrant, reminiscent of early years AC/DC and Led Zeppelin slashed through with a more modern-sounding crunch on the guitar work. Very good stuff from a very good band. As I understand it, they're off to PEI in November, hinting that these guys are expanding their circle at an impressive rate. They have an EP of their own underway—Verbal Warning—but it's not available for purchase yet (our loss). However, they have the album-ready tracks up on their Myspace, which I've linked to below. - Independent Journalist

"Dali Van Gogh play meaty, soulful hard rock. Melodic songwriting and beautiful vocal harmonies, driven along by full fat, high octane bluesy riffology, and fat, grooving bass and drums. It’s old school stuff, in common with contemporary acts like Kings Of Leon, which just goes to show some things can’t be improved on." - Live Unsigned

...if Salvidor Dali and Vincent Van Gogh got together and said lets do a portrait of Rock n Roll, you'd get the band Dali Van Gogh! We're honored to have this premier [of "The Demon"]. Horns Up Dali Van Gogh! - Evolution Rock Metal Podcast

...if Salvidor Dali and Vincent Van Gogh got together and said lets do a portrait of Rock n Roll, you'd get the band Dali Van Gogh! We're honored to have this premier [of "The Demon"]. Horns Up Dali Van Gogh! - Evolution Rock Metal Podcast

The talent that these musicians bring into play have the ability to take certain circumstances and experiences and twist them into a song that will leave you spell bound. From those incredible vocals right down to the spine tingling guitar riffs, every chord, every note, every sound leaves a mark.

"This single [Not My Worst] is getting its pre-release due to it's extraordinary power and texture. It captures a well synchronized and well versed group with a sound that is like no other ... It reflects the band as a united group and the power that is generated when the synergies flow so perfectly." - AR Select

The talent that these musicians bring into play have the ability to take certain circumstances and experiences and twist them into a song that will leave you spell bound. From those incredible vocals right down to the spine tingling guitar riffs, every chord, every note, every sound leaves a mark.

"This single [Not My Worst] is getting its pre-release due to it's extraordinary power and texture. It captures a well synchronized and well versed group with a sound that is like no other ... It reflects the band as a united group and the power that is generated when the synergies flow so perfectly." - AR Select

Dali Van Gogh is a band from Halifax, Nova Scotia comprised of Isaac Kent (guitar), Jaad Stewart (drums), Devon Roberts (keys), Cyrus Robertson-Orkish (bass) and John Scotto (vocals). They released three albums; their latest being From Ashes.

The band has an ubiquitous hard rock sound that sounds for the most part FM radio friendly. I want to say this style of hard rock emerged post grunge with varying degrees of success. Dali Van Gogh had a familiar sound to my years. The vocals were masculine, deep and with an inflection that seems to be somewhat of a standard, backed by driving drums and distorted guitars. That being said the band covers a lot of ground with From Ashes.

The band gets going with “Grave Digger” which was an intense opener. It felt like a party right off the bat with celebratory “ooohs and aahhs” and a cutting verse that reminded me of Queens of the Stone Age. No matter what your thoughts are, it’s the kind of song that grabs your attention.

“God Help Me I Like It” resurrects the energy of a band like Pearl Jam in their prime with the opening riff. “Soul Food” continues with impressive kinetic energy while “Black Scales” is a little dark and ominous. “Sunshine” is one of the catchiest songs but the lyrics don’t paint a pretty picture. Scotto sings, “I still inhale the smoke, the smell of ashes / I hear the scream, the please, the growing desperate / Please god, save me, get me out of this nightmare.” It has a great guitar solo as well.

The band showcases impressive dynamics on “Fear” while “Outside Looking in” felt like the most commercially appealing song for the masses. The good times roll with “Babylon,” “Dark Passenger” and the explosive “Stand Up, Wake Up” which sounds like it had a bit more of an ’80’s influence. The band rocks out hard on the whole album and I have to admit that the last song “Torn To Pieces” which contains acoustic guitar felt like an odd way to end the album.

​Dali Van Gogh isn’t pushing any boundaries but they know how to make an accessible rock song. Take a listen. - Divide and Conquer

Dali Van Gogh creates music that gives you the energy fix you need to either get through the day or even begin it. Each song has its own story but together creates an auditory illustrative novel for the senses.

God Help Me I Like It is a perfect song for provocation and how someone feels when they are being seduced. It becomes intoxicating and you can’t help but feel like you are being seduced as well by the music. The guitar is playing cat and mouse with your senses while the vocals capture you within the game.

One of the songs my soul was most drawn to was Sunshine, because it was musical sunshine. It has a bit of a metal edge with the cadence to headbang but still has that gritty hard rock vibe. I can picture this song being a huge hit during the summertime and in an outdoor venue, since it has a pretty mellow vibe too. It really does have you all over the place emotionally and mentally but sometimes within that confusion comes beauty. You are getting lost in the moment and just feeling the rhythm and melody. Not every song has to be profound, sometimes its nice to have music that just makes you feel good. And who doesn’t feel good when they are surrounded by sunshine?

Stand Up, Wake Up is their call to arms song. The song that makes you rethink how things are going in the world and makes you see society in a new perspective, then most importantly makes you want to take action and change it. You are lacing up your boots and taking to the streets to make sure your voice is heard and won’t stop until the powers that be listen to you. Or it could be your own personal battle, to make peace with something that has been chasing you for your lifetime and restraining you from being the person you were meant to be. That sometimes you have to stand up for yourself, against yourself. Who hasn’t experienced those moments where we are our own worst critic and we get in the way of our own dreams because we listen to doubt or we listen to what others say about us. Just listen to this song and wake up, take a stand for yourself, even if the enemy is your own mind. You have the power within yourself to change anything you don’t agree with. This song could very well provide you the motivation you need to do so.

And for all of your ballad lovers out there, don’t worry, even you have your beautiful moment on the album, with Torn to Pieces. Where the focus is solely on the vocals and lyrics. If your heart is breaking, you can find solace in this song. Just close your eyes and know you are safe in your sadness because within that song, you are understood and someone is feeling that same way too. Sometimes all it takes to mend a broken heart is knowing someone else has had one too, then you never have to wonder if it was only you. Then the guitar solo sweeps in and changes the energy of the song where you no longer want to lie in bed and cry your eyes out, its still a ballad but now you have found some strength that you will eventually be whole once again.

Overall, a very solid album that has many layers of emotions and thoughts. No matter what you are experiencing or feeling in the moments while you listen to this album, you will come out with a sense of being complete and free. Music really is a powerful tool and Dali Van Gogh has shown they know just how to use it and create something for the world to heal to. - Darkland Promotions