Review by Sonny for Dukatalon - Involuntary Action (2020)

Dukatalon were formed in 2006 in Tel Aviv, releasing their debut album Saved by Fear in 2009 and it has taken the band eleven years to release this, the follow-up. This is my first exposure to the band and I've got to say this is a good record, ticking all the boxes for any sludge metal release - ultra-heavy, distorted guitar riffs, pummelling drums and harsh, angry-sounding vocals that reference the genre's hardcore beginnings.

I can't imagine there being many more pissed-off sounding metal albums out this year, yet it still mainains a degree of melody to the riffs that stop it descending into the realms of an incoherent rant. I particularly like the Middle-Eastern vibe that finally shows through on penultimate track Angels in Red.

I have no idea what the metal scene in Israel is like, but if this release is anything to go by then it is in fine fettle.