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Classic 70s metal riffing. Flamboyant vocals. These are my first impressions of German four piece Dawn Of Winter. You've got to admire the band's chutzpah, calling the first song on this album "The Music Of Despair". While this song has a doom-filled atmosphere it is never dull. Some clattering drums keep things interesting. It's a curiously mid-paced opening for an album, which means the other songs could go in any direction. "A Lovelorn Traveller" carries on at exactly the same rate as the last song. If you enjoy classic rock then you'll like this, but I can't help but hope the whole album isn't like this.
Thankfully "Mourner" picks up the pace a little. The singing is distinctive and the music has a raw feel, which isn't over produced. "Holy Blood" slips back into a slower pace. There is a hint of gothic theatrics in the mid range singing. Singer Gerrit P. Mutz asks: 'Will the truth ever be found?" With lyrics such as 'Did he marry Magdalene? If he did, what does it mean?' we can see the words are as weighty as the music. "The Oath Of The Witch" sees the band once again following the Dawn Of Winter template. On the one hand you've got to admire the band's focus, yet sometimes a little more variety wouldn't go amiss. "Throne Of Isolation" cuts back on the heavy riffing. This is Dawn Of Winter's ballad. It offers a brief respite before the loud guitars return. By alternating between quiet and loud, Dawn Of Winter show they are more than a one trick pony. I just wish they would turn tricks more often. This song features a guitar solo, for those who like such things, and indeed for those who do not. "Burn Another Sinner" has a faster pace. The repeated title line is catchy, albeit something you don't want to be caught singing on the bus. "All The Gods You Worship" is more mid-paced classic rock. The vocals remind me of Ian Astbury. Interestingly Mr Mutz doesn't deny the existence of 'our' Gods, but he does conclude: 'All the gods you worship ... are insane!' After five minutes of portentous rumblings the band finally wheel out the flange pedal. The next song is called "Anthem Of Doom". Can you detect a certain theme developing here? The line 'This song of suffering I give to you' is curiously affecting. By now you will have realised that Dawn Of Winter aren't the cheeriest of fellows, so the fact that the final song is called "The Peaceful Dead", rather than say, "The Sun Has Got His Hat On", should come as little surprise. It's a ten-minute epic, with some admirable guitar hysterics. It does go on a bit though. Dawn Of Winter are by no means a bad band. But I find their range too limited to enjoy over the duration of an album. I can willingly take "All The Gods You Worship" and "Throne Of Isolation" and live without the rest. If however you like classic rock and don't mind a constant tempo then you should check out Dawn Of Winter. |
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