THE BEAST

Docker’s Guild – Seasons II – The Age of Entropy - Reviewed By Metal Hammer Italy Magazine ! check it out here at this link: http://www.metalhammer.it/recensioni/2023/02/11/dockers-guild-seasons-ii-the-age-of-entropy/

And so in 2022 we find a new chapter in the saga 'The Mystic Technocracy' by Docker's Guild, which we are definitely happy about.

But, before going into the description of this 'Season 2 – The Age of Entropy', you might ask yourself: what saga is it about? Legitimate question, also because (little tug of ears), the publication times of the various parts of this epic have not been exactly short so far... but let's go in order. As you may have already understood, the disc we have in our hands with this intriguing cover is a part of a more complex work, defined as the title of 'The Mistic Technocracy', whose conception, creation and realization refers to the figure of Douglas R. Docker, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer of various musical realities, including Italian ones. The name may also be known on these pages, as he is the founder and owner of the Black Swan Rock School of Music, based here in Italy, and is also the mastermind behind the lyrics of Mistheria's better known Vivaldi Metal Project. This saga - based on an intriguing science fiction concept of which we don't anticipate too much - in Docker's ideas should be composed of five full albums and four EPs; the former called 'seasons' and carrying on the main story of the saga and the latter instead named 'book' and represented diary notes written by the main protagonist Jack Heisenberg. So far we are two seasons and one book published, respectively in 2012, 2016 and now. Not exactly a record speed, if it were to go on four years at a time the whole saga would end in 2048… This saga - based on an intriguing science fiction concept of which we don't anticipate too much - in Docker's ideas should be composed of five full albums and four EPs; the former called 'seasons' and carrying on the main story of the saga and the latter instead named 'book' and represented diary notes written by the main protagonist Jack Heisenberg. So far we are two seasons and one book published, respectively in 2012, 2016 and now. Not exactly a record speed, if it were to go on four years at a time the whole saga would end in 2048… This saga - based on an intriguing science fiction concept of which we don't anticipate too much - in Docker's ideas should be composed of five full albums and four EPs; the former called 'seasons' and carrying on the main story of the saga and the latter instead named 'book' and represented diary notes written by the main protagonist Jack Heisenberg. So far we are two seasons and one book published, respectively in 2012, 2016 and now. Not quite a record speed, if it were to go on four years at a time the whole saga would end in 2048… So far we are two seasons and one book published, respectively in 2012, 2016 and now. Not exactly a record speed, if it were to go on four years at a time the whole saga would end in 2048… So far we are two seasons and one book published, respectively in 2012, 2016 and now. Not quite a record speed, if it were to go on four years at a time the whole saga would end in 2048…

Hoping that this is not the case, however, we can enjoy the present work here, which certainly does not disappoint expectations. 'The Age of Entropy' is a work that immediately arises as darker and in some ways indirect compared to its predecessor. The atmosphere is obviously affected by the various twists of the plot, which is now going through a very troubled period ... the main character is in danger, Lucy - loved by him - dies and in general the bad technocrats, led by an entity alien, they take control of the Earth… a downright dystopian scenario tinged with an apocalypse, obviously translated for us into music by a generally more metal and progressive sound, which however always remains tempered by the very strong 70s influences that Docker has always shown to love . Being a Rock (Metal) Opera, the guest park is obviously very important, and together with several names of Italian vocalists (especially female) coming from the aforementioned music school, we also find several artists fully involved in various branches of metal: to name a few we can highlight the presence of Anna Portalupi on bass, Joel Hoekstra and Sasha Paeth on guitars, plus some big names like Somerville and Van Giersbergen to play some characters. An undoubted richness, therefore, which is obviously declined in an elegant, baroque, constructed sound, where little is left to chance and to the imagination. It's easy for us to draw a parallel with the works of Arjen Lucassen and his 'Universal Migrator Universe', but we must say that the sound and above all the way of approaching the plots are far apart: more linked to history and a chronological scan Docker and more abstract and elusive Arjen; more seventies and prog the first and generally more metal the second (excluding some chapters).

In short, it is impossible to go deeper than that. These discs (for those who like the genre of course) must be owned and studied, to fully enjoy them: plot, graphic aspect, content and processing are all important in this type of work, so we strongly recommend a first listen on your spotify ... in the moment in which the first-rate music you hear convinces you, at https://www.dockersguild.com/home you can find the whole story and all the works to learn more. Trust me, it's worth it. - Metal Hammer Italy Magazine

Release Date: November 15, 2022

FFO: Asia, Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Threshold, Dream Theater, Journey

Location: Italy 

Docker's Guild is a massive progressive metal space opera which will unfold through 5 “seasons” and 4 “books” for a total of 9 albums. It is masterminded by producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Douglas R. Docker.

The overall story arc of Docker’s Guild’s space opera is rather complex and has been worked out in great detail. Album after album, you will visit the dark world of The Mystic Technocracy, where a silicon-based techno-organic alien race attempts to wipe out all life on Earth through organized religion, while a tormented scientist makes it his mission in life to save humanity. His quest will take him across the universe and on a personal journey from which there is no return.

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CREDITS

Produced by Douglas R. Docker
Mixed by Neil Kernon, Alberto Macerata and Alessandro Del Vecchio 
Superb visionary artwork by C.A. Beckston / Blekkmark Design Studio

VOCALS: Anneke van Giersbergen, Amanda Somerville, Elizabeth Andrews, Valentina Procopio, Anna Petracca, Serena Moine

KEYBOARDS, BASS, VOCALS: Douglas R. Docker

GUITARS: Joel Hoekstra, Sascha Paeth, Nita Strauss, Mio Jäger, Toni Urzì, Luigi Iamundo

BASS: Anna Portalupi, Luca Pisu, Roby Salvai, Giorgio Novarino

DRUMS: Helly

Follow the band at these links:

https://www.dockersguild.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dockersguild
https://www.instagram.com/dockersguild/
https://www.youtube.com/@dockersguild
https://twitter.com/dockersguild
https://open.spotify.com/album/4HgGb91LOo3Y263fjNVs28