Description
Black vinyl with gatefold cover and printed innersleeve
One of the last huge classics of melodic Swedish black metal. Remastered by Dan Swano (Edge Of Sanity, Asphyx, Dissection) and done in full cooperation with Dawns mastermind Fredrik Soderberg. After their demo period, the Swedish band Dawn began to change their writing style and the music coming from their instruments was somewhat castrated of its pure aggressiveness in favour of more melodic leanings, with enough twists and turns to warrant it more complex than anything they had done. There were changes being made in the writing style and compositional approach, as well as on Henke Forss vocal delivery that changed from the cavernous bellowing roar of the Aparition demo into a more blackened rasp akin to the Norwegian bands of the hour. This was indeed 1994 and the influence of the black metal explosion in their neighbouring country is very noticeable. Compelled forth by the works of their homeland�s legends Dissection, Dawn would release their first album, Naer Solen Gar Niber For Evogher which means when the sun goes down forever, in a vessel of blackened death metal layered with haunting melodies. The first thing that will get your attention on the album is the production as the master volume is really low, and even more if compared to other works by the band, although dynamically it is pretty much perfect. The sound on this record shows a raw yet delicate way of producing engaging dynamics with duelling guitars on top of the thundering shimmer of the cymbal and feet work by Karsten Larsson. As opposed to the demo where the drums would be mainly composed of thrashing beats with some breaks followed by unrelenting blast beats and hefty bass drum use, here the drums take a more varied and eclectic route and they show much more variety than before. There�s a greater emphasis on melodic breaks, that although recognizable on their previous songs was never as pronounced as here, at every corner a turn with twisting riffs and rhythm shifting rapidly from plodding grooving drumming to a more intense and furious discharge. It�s difficult not to be captivated or even enthralled by this record as it carries an endearing beauty alongside its sorrowful weight and blackened aggression. This album transpires a longing feeling and a search for respite and solace, something that I feel to be perfectly exemplified by the cover art; a dying sun laying itself to sleep behind a dark forest that heralds the horrors in that unearthly swamp where you stand. You long for those last rays of light as if it was your last glimpse at something beautiful before the shadows start creeping in to take you away. The band has developed this alluring concept and the writing accurately translates it, the caressing melodies intertwined with the harsh and freezing aggression, the mid-paced breaks that give you hope shadowed by the rumbling beatings on the snare drum, and the ripping tone of the last words of a dying man embracing its ultimate destiny. It�s all here and shown in a way that will hardly leave you impervious to all its haunting beauty, so amend your wrongdoings and embark on a cold journey, one that might as well be your last.
Track listing:
1. Eyesland
2. The Ethereal Forest
3. Diabolical Beauty
4. In The Depths Of My Soul
5. Ginom Rinande Lughier
6. As The Tears Fall
7. Svarter Skiner Solen
8. Everflaming