Review: “Shattered Reflection” by Dogtak

Originally formed in 2024 as the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Björn “B.C.” Condon (Northsphere, Arch Angel, Silence After Sunset), it is written upon ancient scrolls that after the release of debut EP “World On Fire” Dogtag became Dogtak with the arrival of bassist Sebastian “Basti” Doell Bass (Crimson Frost, Northsphere, Arch Angel), drummer Gero Samrey (Mainotower, Ridden by Disease, Bless You), guitarist Sören “Rippy” Schwartau (Obsidian Cure, Audiokill, Beyond the Abyss) and vocalist Alex Ritzenhoff (Embrace the Light, Keep Your Crown, The Last Horizon) in July 2025. That sheer weight of experience bodes well for the German Groove Thrash quintet, who are said to have found a new identity for the band through their combination of different influences and musical backgrounds while recording between March and May of 2026.

A haunting slow burn bursts into the flames of perdition as “The Beginning” reveals its true form as an atmospheric Death Thrash tune with savage vocals from Ritzenhoff. The sense of tension is palpable as a few Lamb Of God influences surface in the riffs, the track having a real sense of Death Metal theatre about it as it plays out. The American style Groove Thrash of title track “Shattered Reflection” fans the flames with verve and swagger, the Germans nailing the mix to give us something with mosh pit starting energy that is fearfully addictive. The only issue is that it stops on a dime when perhaps it would have been better to fade out, that final vocal moment something that feels like a freight train is coming in the form of a heavy breakdown or ripping solo which never does. “Wrath Within Me” returns to the symphonic embellishments of the opening cut, floating in the realm between the heavier end of 2003 era American Metalcore and Symphonic Death Metal. The solo is a potent one, the climbing chord changes offering hope through the black clouds of the bleak introspective lyrical narrative. It has a wonderful melancholia to it as well as an air of familiarity which makes it abundantly listenable, the Gothic tinges a nuance that rises to the surface over multiple listens.

Fleeting synths add a haunting quality to “Thrown Into The Abyss“, a cut which pushes the extremes of the Dogtak sound into similar territory to “Of Love And Lunacy” era Still Remains but with savage harsh unclean vocals from Ritzenhoff. His voice is the single heaviest element on the record as he tries to make your ears bleed despite the rampaging riffs and thunderous percussion. The bands supreme confidence in their material crawls out of the woodwork at every turn, the venom in their veins not allowing them to hold anything back in creating an uncompromising record. The driving riffs of “Isolation” sound like they’re inspired by Slayer and with Ritzenhoff’s harsh bark sounding like Robert Meadows from A Life Once Lost, you get a nice contrast on this one. Arguably saving the best until last “See Us Again” combines all the elements of the earlier songs to make one that feels like it encompasses the entirety of the bands sound. Ritzenhoff offers up some deeper, darker hitherto unheard death growls as well as some shriller harsh moments while the soaring solo is as majestic as a vulture riding the thermals. Add a classy final instrumental passage with some neck snap-able riffs and a final flourish in synths and you have a record to write home about [8/10]

Track Listing

1. The Beginning
2. Shattered Reflection
3. Wrath Within Me
4. Thrown Into The Abyss
5. Isolation
6. See Us Again

“Shattered Reflection” by Dogtak is out 21st August 2026 and might be available over at bandcamp