Reviews : Albums : Abysmal Dawn, "From Ashes"

Abysmal Dawn’s first album, From Ashes, may only be 32 minutes but it packs quite the punch. This four-piece from California lay down some very wicked and extra brutal melodic death metal in the eight tracks on this disc. We’re not talking about In Flames but with beefy guitars and deep vocals…no, this is the brutal death metal first with the melodies and hooks laid over the top to round everything out. If you ever thought In Thy Dreams had this plan of attack figured out and never got enough credit for it, you’ll want to spend some time with Abysmal Dawn’s debut. Unlike the aforementioned Swedes, however, these guys give their material a very distinct American death metal sound that works to both give From Ashes a place of its own in the scene, and provides an organic rumble which makes it impossible to forget you are listening to death metal here. Abysmal Dawn have succeeded with this disc. It’s original enough, extremely well played, and will appeal to fans of everything from Dark Tranquillity to Behemoth.

Standout Tracks    Blacken the Sky    Servants to Their Knees    State of Mind    Crown Desire

Peter Johnston