Source: Album Artwork
A lot of people are expecting big things from Brighton hard-proggers DORJE. Their first EP Catalyst earned them a decent amount of attention worldwide; it debuted at number one on the iTunes rock chart, number 8 overall, and charted in 44 countries. Centred and One is the band’s second self-released EP, and it isn’t nearly as impressive as their debut.
The quartet rose to internet stardom on the back of a few successful YouTube accounts, including frontman Rob Chapman’s guitar-centric channel. This background isn’t at all surprising when you hear the EP. Technical guitar solos are littered throughout Centred and One, bringing much-needed vibrancy to an otherwise dull record.
Lengthy opener ‘Centred and One’ jumps straight into heavy guitars, repetitive instrumentals, and understated vocals. The effect isn’t bad, but by the time you’re reaching the third minute their instrumentation is verging on tedious. Then the solo kicks in, and with it just enough colour to keep the track alive. So far, so average.
DORJE shake things up a little with ‘Outspoken’. Chapman and Rabea Massadd’s guitars again carry the entire track, disjointed and quirky with a cocktail of influences. These longer tracks give the band an opportunity to express their technical mastery, and this is something they admittedly do well. The problem comes when other aspects don’t quite live up.
Centred and One has the same vocal melody over five tracks. It’s repetitive, and it lacks imagination. In fact, if you’ve heard one verse, you’ve pretty much heard them all.
There’s only so much a band can save with elaborate guitars. Make no mistake, the lads from DORJE are clearly talented musicians, but there’s something displaced about this record.
The plus side is that they have a lot to build on. For a band self-releasing their second EP, it isn’t surprising that repetition is an issue. These grungy, intricate anthems need some work, but we’re rooting for you DORJE.
