Review DOOL ‘The Shape of Fluidity’

The announcement of a new Dool album is always an exciting moment. The band, formed in 2015, has really gained momentum over the past few years. The debut album, released in 2016, created a strong foundation for the Dutch rockers to start an exciting musical journey, which finds its next peak with ‘The Shape of Fluidity’.

An important song of the new album is the lead single ‘Hermagorgon’. It was not only the first song the band unveiled from ‘The Shape of Fluidity’. It was also the first song the five-piece from Rotterdam wrote for the new longplayer. In a way, the tune set the direction for the entire album and contains many of Dool’s key elements. There are the fragile moments that fully interact with the heavy riff power. Lyrically, the song is very personal, dealing with the inner journey that Raven van Dorst has gone through. It is about claiming space and leaving constraints behind. It is about facing the world head on. The music reflects the theme in a great way and allows the listener to feel the emotional intensity.

‘The Shape of Fluidity’ contains a total of nine songs, starting with ‘Venus in Flames’. The seven-minute opener blends a post-rock expression with a dark and somber vibe. Dool is not known for happy music. It’s more the burden of an inner struggle that finds an outlet in each of their songs, and the first track on ‘The Shape of Fluids’ is no exception. The music slowly creeps into your mind and begins to make itself at home there. This is true for the soft and somber ‘Hymn for a Memory Lost’ too, a title that speaks volumes, as well as for the thundering ‘Evil in You’ with its gothic vibe. Not to forget the title track, which is a highlight of the album. Life isn’t a solid rock. Life means constant change, which requires flexibility. You have to be ‘fluid’ to find your own way through life’s challenges and changes. This is the spirit of the title track and the whole album.

Dool’s music is based on emotions and personal experiences. The music helps to work through the things in life that have happened so far, and this is what gives each of the songs on ‘The Shape of Fluidity’ a very authentic grit and feel. It is music that comes straight from the darkened heart and acts as a catalyst. Every note on this album is real and a touching moment that many people can relate to.

‘The Shape of Fluidity’ is Dool’s best and most mature album to date. It reflects the typical trademarksound of the band and at the same time shows twists and developments that will help the band to grow.