From their Facebook page, "DAKESIS are a four-piece Progressive Metal band from Birmingham, UK, with a reputation for electrifying showmanship, vast progressive storytelling and enough pomp and circumstance to bring a smile to even the dourest viewer." 2020 sees the release of the band's third effort, titled "Fractures," which contains nine tracks.

"Eos" opens the album. It's a two-minute mood setting instrumental. Light recorder notes and simulate strings remind me of a sunrise in Scotland...very pretty. It segues into "Ends of Time Pt. 1," which opens with a galloping pace. Gemma has a beautiful voice, especially in the upper ranges, and guitarist Matt Jones lays down a smoking guitar solo. "Ends of Time Pt. 2" is close to seven minutes in length. You are greeted with a full, rich sound, rounded out by keys and thunderous drumming. The sound is gritty and with a ferocious edge. I hear more Power/Epic Metal components than Progressive ones, but that is neither here nor there.

"Overthrown" opens again with a full and rich sound, led by Gemma's vocals and backing vocals that help to fill out the song. Keys abound...and you can tell that the band is very accomplished in songwriting. "Kairos" is darker sound with full symphonic elements, reminding me of NIGHTWISH or EPICA. A keyboard solo is followed by a glittering guitar solo, and those drums roll relentlessly. "Surrender your Fears" has a darker sound, brought to life by all the instrumentation that keeps the track voluminous. Gemma really goes for broke here in this song as well. A break at the half way mark mires the track in mystery, and gives it a Middle Eastern feeling. "Hold Forever" is over seven minutes in length. Ominous tones open the song, like a large unruly beast has just come over the horizon to destroy you. From there the sound is dialed back just a bit. The symphonic elements are fairly high here.

"Legacy in Memory" opens with light piano notes, and a melancholy sound. Gemma's vocals are cautious at first, but you get the feeling that something is coming. But, it stays light, like a ballad of sorts. "Fractures" closes the album, and it's an opus...at over fifteen minutes in length. It takes a couple minutes of building before the main sound presses forward. It's quite bountiful, with plenty of supporting instrumentation. The chorus really sticks with you as well. This song has it all, and the melody line is held throughout. Following a brief pause in the middle, the sound returns, building into a crescendo towards the end.

Wow...what a fantastic ride. Often in the genre, the instrumentation can fall short and make for a weak listening experience. But the sound here is big, rich and full, and the songwriting is complex and intense. Every instrument is in the right place. Gemma's vocals fit here very neatly, almost as if she was made for the band. Record labels take notice...someone needs to sign this band immediately, because "Fractures" is on par with the greats in the genre.