Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is almost a sense of pity that should be extended outwards to anyone that doesn’t find the prospect of Rock, in whichever shape or form, an exciting prospect in which to delve head first into and wallow in its electric vibe and luminous structured beast like glow for however long the offer is on for.

It is a pity, for how else would those with hearts as deep as the Mersey get to enjoy the subtly of spirit and the feeling of the upcoming talent of some of the very dedicated young bands making their way into the world. Groups such as the enormously cool and interesting The D-Tales who make Rock sound like it never lost a heart beat between the impractical and incessant club scene culture that somehow took hold of many a young soul during the desperate days of the 1990s.

For The D-Tales, it is not just spirit that guides them, it is the outpouring of satisfaction gained as the keyboards and drums fight over the listener’s individual core, the guitars ravaging and baying at the moon as a top dog should and installing the barest glimpse of a terrifying creature lurking in the dark. A creature to whom the crunch of electricity is its very life blood and to whom its creators become lauded and spoken of in hushed tones; tones that defy the whims of passing fashion and ones that always catch the ear with calm enjoyment.

Supporting Mersey Wylie as part of Stillhet’s Strings and Things August extravaganza, The D-Tales played their part to near perfection and songs such as the set opener Montrose Mountain, Laying Dormant, the superb new track Television and Press, Fireman and Hyde Away more than announced themselves with fire and guile.

This was a set in which a large silver gauntlet was thrown down, in which a snorting, sweating steed was rampant with fire in its belly carried a new dark destroyer on its back and the feeling of unlocked potential being unleashed was only a swung mace away from being felt.

The D-Tales are an answer to which it felt there was no question made but to one in which was readily accepted and enjoyed, Rock after all, is made for that emotion and conquering spirit.

Ian D. Hall