Divine Regale

Ocean Mind (Metal Blade)
by Scott Hefflon

While suspicious as hell of any band with the “prog rock” label proudly affixed to their frilly shirts (any gushing about Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Rush, or Yes and you music school dweebs are gonna take a beating!), I actually like Divine Regale. More from the post-metal, pre-Floydian slip of Queensrÿchian rule, Divine Regale write songs, dammit, songs! Sure, they wank around a bit in a creatively playful way, but it’s about meshing riffs and emotional lyrics more than it is about showing off. And for a young ‘un, vocalist Dwight Hill has crafted quite a screech. Similar to either that Tate guy or fellow Seattlite Warrel Dane (ex-Sanctuary, now fronting Nevermore), Hill layers the melodies atop one another without tipping the balance of delicate guitarwork. As aging prog rock heroes meander through their paces, there’s evidently a gap left in their wake which needs to be filled by fresh-thinking young hopefuls. Supported by one who is openly and adamantly against “music for musicians,” imagine what fans of this stuff will think!