DAMASCUS STEEL’S “WAR”: A POWERFUL MUSICAL COMMENTARY ON WAR & GREED
5 min read
Sometimes when you sit and think deep into wars then you realize sometimes it’s greed and politics that spearhead these wars. But do these people even care the outcome and it’s effects? Well definitely not and that’s why Damascus Steel, a band comprising of Sameer Hilal on the vocals and the exceptionally talented Gabriel Cyr, the 2018 Guitarist of the Year, takes on guitars, bass, keys, and drums have come together to create an album the address the issues of war, it’s effects and the way forward. They titled this one “War”. Man I have listened to the album and the amount of work that went into it is marvelous. From vocals, to lyrics and delivery on those beats are magical, which kicks your emotions and teleport you deep in your thoughts. Wow, the most fascinating thing about this album is that, it was all recorded in home studios and man it’s top top stuff.
The band who are inspired by a diverse range of influences like Beethoven and Dream Theater to Gabriel Cyr, Queen, and Puccini. The way they tell their stories with top notch delivery from their deep rooted progressive metal style is beautiful. You must be itching to see what this album entails haha don’t worry, the album was released amidst global conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, Yemen, and Afghanistan, “War” becomes an album that shed lights on the ugly nature of war and how it’s fueled by extreme greed and politics. The album indeed carries a deep message and is sure gonna blow you away with its production and content. The album together asks listeners to understand the cost of war, laying emphasis on who are affected the most, this we the citizens and those young soldiers who gets their future taken away from them if they die in those wars.
Man the emotional content in here is beyond what the brain can hold. After all is said and done the album closes beautifully with the line “so they wouldn’t die in vain… make a change.” Let’s all do our best to prevent wars, let’s stop fueling war and projecting it with our greed cos in the end we suffer negatively and endure more as citizens than those in power. Oh wait you thought we done here ?? Haha nah, lemme glide you through some of the tracks, the album, divided into 5 chapters, explores themes like the greed of politicians, the idealism of young soldiers, the sacrifice made in the horrors of war, the bravery of those laying down their weapons, and the dawn of change and peace. Each chapter unfolds a narrative that resonates with the current global scenarios.
The prelude set the tone for first chapter of the album to hop in. “War Chapter I: Tyrant. This track talks about how greed grow among leaders and brings division, which in the end set them to become tyrants and begin to seek after their greedy demands. The lyrics is a call for we citizens or listeners to identify how leaders become destructive when there ain’t enough checks and balance. Power and control becomes too centralized and hence authorities tend to do whatever they want with it. Grown horns and refuse to listen and in the end are voices are not heard and becomes weak. But we need to stand up and demand good accountability and make sure power ain’t too centralized. The urgency and intensity with which the track portrays it’s message captures the listeners attention and keep him glued. This is a beautiful opening to an album.
The next track on ma list is, “War Chapter III: Sacrifice”. This song is soo emotional and man got me teary at first listen, and lays within the heart of the album. It talks about how innocent souls are lost during, it’s either you kill or get killed, capturing the stillness of dawn beneath the rising sun. The lyrics paints a clear picture of the aftermath of war. Lifeless bodies laying on the grounds, children with bright futures are gone, women who are the gateway to our world gone, so how can one be happy going into war?? I don’t get it, this is crazy to think some people enjoy killing for the sake of it. This is where greed will get us, a wiped future and all development going to waste. The sacrifices made by soldiers becomes the heart of the song, those who survive either end up living painfully for the rest of their lives or becomes useless. Say no to war and let’s save our future.
Closing the album in style is, “War Chapter V: Dawn”. This song tho, kicks of with those drums and guitars beautifully and then takes shape with those pulsating guitar riffs, this is ma favorite and man this song is soo good. The lyrics lay emphasis on hope and change. Finally after it’s all done, we hope and pray for change where fear are replaced with peace, with hope there will be no war again so children won’t be send to wars again. We want a day where we will wake up to beautiful skies and not smokey ones, where the sun will shine and all is peaceful. Those vocals are Soo magical and soothing making this song a solid ending to the beautiful album.
War indeed is a masterpiece that will forever be top tier and trust me guys, this album is top top tier, there’s everything to enjoy in here, those guitar interludes are magical and crazy, it’s a vibe and I say this album is a solid 10/10. So go ahead and enjoy War by Damascus Steel and let’s all help and stop wars, it’s start from us🫶✊, for our future, lets make a change for our sons and daughters so they won’t die in vain. Make sure to check them out on the links below for more;
https://www.instagram.com/damascus_steel_music/
English