Dope Default – 'Division': An album with modern elements.

The album follows the successful path of 'Ofrenda' (2018) and 'Imprisoned' (2019)'. It was preceded by the single 'Down to Pieces', which also came with their first video clip.

With new collaborations

'Division' features some new collaborations in its making. It marks their first collaboration with Θάνος Μυλωνάς, who took on the mixing and mastering of the album. At the same time, Polish artist Kacper Gilka provided the album's artwork. Recording took place between July 2021 and January 2022.

Having little contact with the band's goings-on, I didn't know what to expect from this album. For me, Dope Default were a clean slate, and that in itself had its own magic. What I'd heard was on the occasion of the interview they'd given to Fuzzy Hound a while back. In it they had mentioned: 'A key element is the commitment of all the members. That's a big deal. Getting so many people committed to a common goal is essentially the first step a band has to take if it wants to succeed. Then, a whole lot of work is needed, both individual and collective, and no one should ever get complacent. ‘.

On the music

As was to be expected after such a statement, I took a look at the band's discography. Intense and dense. Three albums in the span of three years, one and a bit of which was the pandemic year. Talk about commitment! With the first two albums carrying the harsh character of metal strongly, the band seemed to want to make a shift in its music.

In 'Division' there's a turn toward more melodic paths. Tracks like 'Duplicity’
and 'So Far Away' have a strong melodic element and are packed with riffs that stick with you. That, after all, is the core character of Dope Default. Riff-based tracks, with intense rhythms and vocals that get you fired up. Also leading the charge are 'Future Without' and 'The Saint of Killers', songs that have a set of core melodies and revolve around them. 

Album Tracklist:

1. Midnight Mass
2. Future Without
3. Duplicity
4. Down to Pieces
5. The Saint of Killers
6. So Far Away
7. One More Time
8. The Hand of Midas
9. Divided

Credits

Mixing / Mastering – Θάνος Μυλωνάς

Cover Artwork – Kacper Gilka

Photography – Ιωάννης Ασμής

An album that definitely has a lot to offer

'Division' is an album that lays the groundwork for the new path the band wants to follow. Dope Default take an important step and at the same time give us a set of tracks with heavy sound and beautiful melodies. Behind all three of the band's albums, the core principles remain the same. The metal character is retained and shows up even stronger on this third consecutive album.