DGM has been for more than a decade on the genre of progressive power metal delivering in 2013 their eighth album, "Momentum". The Italian progressive metallers were never on the first live of attention but they were always quite close. My personal favorites are the records with Titta Tani on vocals. When Mark Basile stepped in for some reason I never managed to follow - and it is not that the guy is a bad singer, he has great vocal capabilities but I think he doesn't have that distinct element that will take the songs to another level.

"Momentum" has eleven tracks packed with progressive metal in the spirit of DREAM THEATER and SYMPHONY X. When I first heard the record I was not really sure actually if I was listening to DGM or SYMPHONY X because the first song is almighty Russell Allen doing guest vocals. My overall opinion is that the record is good with interesting solos, technical parts that are not overdone, heavy riffing and cool keyboards, the rhythm section is hammering nails and the vocal melodies are well placed. The songs I found most interesting is "Reason", the duet with Allen, "Numb" and "Remembrance".

But what makes a record great, what makes music interesting and what makes a band distinguishable from the rest is the feeling, the waking of emotions. I find "Momentum" a perfect performance of an emotionless machine. It is not only the bands fault but the production is also accountable for that. And as DGM lacks in that something that will make the songs special (fun fact DGM stands for the names of the founding members, none of whom are with the band anymore ... ), the first thoughts that come into my mind is that the band sounds like SYMPHONY X in the first case and like DREAM THEATER. So, while this is a fun record by DGM give it a try after you are done with the pioneering bands.