Recommended if you like to rock!
Aquarius Records | San Francisco | 11/28/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A few months back, we listed a one-sided, one-song 12" vinyl record that was a teaser for this, the debut album from Portland, Oregon's magnificent Danava, an eagerly awaited release 'round here for sure. And so we'll pretty much recap a bunch of what we said in the review of that 12", which featured their epic tune "Quiet Babies Astray In A Manger", also found on this disc:
we first heard this stoner-garage-prog-metal combo on the Invaders comp of happenin' hipster heavy psych metal that the Kemado label released earlier this year. Their track was one of several highlights on that collection. We went to go see 'em when they played in Oakland with Parchman Farm not too long ago, and even more recently in The City when they were supposed to be opening for Witchcraft, and in both instances the Danava boys SLAYED, shredded, and (incidentally to the music) were all really skinny. Awesome band. Basically a rollicking, rippin' power trio with extra psychedelic embellishments from keyboards and electronics. If we were a label, we'd have signed 'em in an instant, and that's what Kemado wisely did some time ago. This resultant product comes close to capturing the excitement of their live show, while revealing other aspects we didn't hear whilst headbanging. It's got a reworking of their killer tune "By The Mark" from the Invaders comp, plus the aforementioned 12" track, and three others that are equally masterful, like "Eyes In Disguise" (hearing a hint of Black Sabbath in the vocal line on that one). When the fleet-fingered guitarist gets goin', and when the drummer and bassist lock in, Danava build to pure, amped up, enthused rocka rolla ecstasy and almost could just as well be a totally instrumental band and get away with it, but they have the bonus of actual decent singing capability and vocal hooks as well. Recommended if you like to rock."
Davana - self-titled (Kemado)
Mike Reed | USA | 12/02/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"From what I could tell, this self-titled debut from Portland's Davana, a four piece stoner rock / metal band is their first of two (so far) releases. Liked all five of these tracks, from the opener "By The Mark", the thirteen-minute "Eyes Of Disguise", "Quiet Babies Astray In A Manger" (vocals sound like old Black Sabbath), the guitar-driven riff-heavy "Longdance" and the ten-minute "Maudie Shook". Line-up: Dusty Sparkles-guitar, keyboards, synthesizer & vocals, Dell Blackwell-bass, Rockwell-synthesizer and Buck Rothy-drums. Just might draw in fans of Kyuss, Seompi, Monster Magnet, Witchcraft and Witchcraft."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1
