Diamondog
Faithful Unto Death

The first song on this album is called Kill Me. The last one Don't You Die. It feels like this Norwegian quintet tries to be a martyr with this album. 'Faithful Unto Death' is the third album by Diamondog rebranded for its world wide release and the album covers 40 minutes of "energetic rock", as Liljegren records - their new label - calls them. In other words, a Liljegren records release that isn't power metal and that can't be seen as anything but a huge step for them as they normally conduct holy war in the name of power metal. But this album is not that, it's more an album with its feet in the classic rock 'n' roll and an album within that genre on a label like Liljegren? Well, excuse me for having a few doubts over how good an album like this could be.

The fears of shit are rapidly torn in pieces though as the quality of this album is actually pretty good. Kill Me is one of the best songs on the album and it's quickly intriguing me with it's quick pace and a nice flow. The album continues with a good drive throughout the album and some of the songs are quite catchy and easy to tag along with. The main focus in the music is placed on the guitars and also the vocal part is well executed and works particularly well in the quicker songs. The music is pretty simple and the melodies doesn't require much from you but they are still pretty entertaining. I would say it's pretty much like a big field of oats - not particularly striking yet a enjoyable thing to be around.

While the music is pretty alright the production side is not as flattering. I'm sure they've voluntarily chosen this kind of production where the sound is oldish and clankering… ish, but personally I've never understood why anyone would voluntarily want that kind of production because it actually annoys me more than Jehovahs witnesses when the sound is this overly distorted. The sound of the guitars cracks like the ground crust in Kiruna, the vocals cracks like the ground in Los Angeles and the whole production side just disturbs me… kind of like old people. The slower songs have a somewhat better sound than the faster and more loud once as there's less things to crack in them, but they still miss the punch you get from a good productiom. However, there's easy to forget about the production when you get songs like Kill Me, Soak It In and Let It Show. I only wish all the material would sound like that because then it wouldn't be a problem but most of the material isn't and as soon as the quality decrease my interest goes the same way. And that's a shame.

Clearly Diamondog have plenty of positives with their glad and hum-friendly rock in the rougher fashion. 'Faithful Unto Death' is a bit punk-rockish, pretty energetic and has its moments when it's easily enjoyed. At the same time it's also stocked with supplements - aka not interesting material. You have the stone dead This Is A Love Song, the irritating Like A Diamond and the completely anonymous If. So you get some good, some not so good and some really bad on an album with a sound quality you wouldn't trade for your wet socks. But their style isn't that bad, overall I say it's decent, even a bit more positive than just decent. I lack something for that really nice feeling, but it's an okay album!