Album review: DIM GRAY – Flown
Grim Day Records [Release date 25.06.21]
One band that came to mind when listening to Dim Gray’s debut album is Celtus. And the Norwegian “post prog” art rockers may well appeal to those who warmed to that now defunct band’s stirring melodies and melancholia.
As with Celtus, Dim Gray’s offering has folk music at its roots but expanding into more rockier territory with songs like ‘The Wave We Thought We’d Ride Together’, ‘Closer’ and – one of the standouts – ‘Black Sun’. Another band that draws comparison is Public Symphony (especially the bonus track ‘Paper Bird’) although grounded more in electronica.
The trio have been compared to Fleet Foxes and Sigur Ros and their own musical background has encompassed black metal and film music. There is certainly a widescreen element at play here plus the use of strings adds to the haunting atmosphere that pervades this album, not least on a piece like ‘Ouroboros’.
‘Flown’ was originally released in digital only format in 2020 and in physical form now has four bonus tracks including live versions of ‘Again’ and ‘Song For E’.
Given that the themes expressed in the album are of loss, longing and loneliness, Flown emerges as a true soundtrack to our times. It is both stirring and reflective in equal measure and will also appeal to those who like – to quote our reviewer Alan Jones – “the melancholic, uplifting and atmospheric tunesmithery “of Katatonia. ****
Review by David Randall
Bands that time forgot: Celtus
Albums that time forgot: Public Symphony
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,
Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025
SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
RED GIANT Free Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections