The Slaughtering Dawn
It’s hard
to believe but I discovered this album for the second time few months ago, listening
to it at least once a day. And I cannot get off it… At one time, shortly after
first listens, I considered this album as another bastard son born out of
Dissection womb and another good stuff of the next pretenders to the throne. The
album wasn’t noticed enough by me, now I know that was a horrible mistake.
Nowadays “Slaughtersun (Crown of the Triarchy)” glows at full splendor in my
collection, giving its slaughtering rays without any mercy. And even if it is
not as catchy and famed as “Storm of the Light’s Bane”, Swedes know how to
conquer my senses. I don’t know if the album truly caught the attention it
deserved for, but I guess that “Slaughtersun” didn’t get a satisfactory
applause in the past.
I made mention
on the second Dissection album but the Dawn’s offer isn’t a cheap imitation of Nödtveidt
works, that’s for sure. But two first albums of Dissection are some kind of
determinant for the things to come. Dawn managed to clock in here six
compositions (plus one instrumental piece) in almost sixty minutes so it’s
challenging task not to be a bringer of boredom, as the songs have eight
minutes at least! Musically they deliver an essence of black aggression, based
on unmerciful riffs, destroying performance of Jocke Pettersson on drums and
typical for this genre Henke Forss vocals. And by their skills and metal
passion, they avoided dullness moments, even if some parts seem to be a bit monotonous
(“Ride the Wings of Pestilence”, but I don’t treat it as a blame in this song).
Each track emanates a morbid-like melancholy fed by melodious layers (and here
Dissection shades are heard most) that I cannot forget about. All is done by simple means, without any
technical and progressive arrangements, but supported by very good sound
realization of Abyss studio. The musical basis here is to tame relentless ideas
raging through the avalanche of slaying sounds. And they managed to do it,
controlling unbridled fury that attacks the listener from every corner. Of
course, the adjective ‘melodious’ is nothing unknown in the case of this album,
as every song has its own, let’s say, catchy moments, sometimes even epic and
melancholic. I think “The Aphelion Deserts” is a good example of such
destroying track, when Swedes mixed extremely fast tempo and memorable guitar
tone. It seems to be the most violent song here, what is more, it became the
best one during my first meetings with the “Slaughtersun” beast. Putting this
song on the fourth place of the track order is a very good move. Let me
explain: “The Aphelion Deserts” are preceded by “Ride the Wings of Pestilence”,
the slowest piece here, even with some smashing doomish parts. But the most
significant thing, the stifling atmosphere that girdles the mind, is one of the
best moments on the album. And the confrontation of these two killing songs in
the middle of the album, is a real manifestation of Dawn’s power. Two different
tracks, two different emotions…
And except
for instrumental “To Achieve the Ancestral Powers”, the rest is built in more
varied form. I mean, Swedes juggle the songs tempo, from slow, almost
melancholic parts to the moments of savage fury and unmerciful stark madness. Two
last songs “Stalker's Blessing” and “Malediction Murder” have quite long
openings, based on slow peaceful riffs that bring a breathing space with strong
monumental guitar works… but it is simply an introduction to the musical
insanity. And I think that an apogee of “Slaughtersun” comes during the last “Malediction
Murder”, it lasts eleven minutes and contains everything I wrote above. And I
arrive at a conclusion: this song is the best here and makes a splendid ending
of the album. I have no choice, I press the play button once again and greet
the first sounds of “The Knell and the World”…
Summing all the things up, the second album of
Dawn is a real treasury of superb compositions. With these bestial sounds, I
can easily forget about any Dissection comparisons. And for certain the music
isn’t outdated and even if it’s melodic, as the sounds are executed in lethal
form. I can see a clear progress in composing as compared to the debut.
Unfortunately the “Slaughtersun” album was the last one in full length activity
of the band, however, according to Encyclopaedia Metallum, Swedes are still
active after some years of break, but there is only an ominous silence in the
kingdom of Dawn. So, if you don’t know this band, check their albums
immediately out, especially the second full performance: great feelings
guaranteed. One of the best blackened albums I have ever heard in my life.
90/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(written on March, 2014)
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