One of the hardest, but most enjoyable parts, of being a music fan, and especially a fan of metal, is trying to classify any given release. Sometimes the debate is usually short – anything I listen to is generally dismissed by my mum questioning my sanity – though there’s often a lively debate to be had. And none more so that’s come my way this year than Darkness Before Dawn. Taking a pick ‘n’ mix approach to their sound can often be a dangerous business, but on ‘Kings Of You’, there’s enough skill as well as verve to pull it off.
What we have here, broadly speaking, is a black metal album; at least, the title track would have you believe that. Opening cut ‘Monster Condo’ resembles progressive hardcore pioneers Shai Hulud, with the same trademark of pulling out double kick drum flurries. They also pull the rug out from under your feet, as right after the breakdown they pull out a stunning Emperor-style keyboard riff. And the whole changeover is seamless. It’s much the same story throughout the album – follow on track ‘Undeserved Hatred’ is a fearsome flurry of sixteenth note kick drum patterns and symphonic keys, but closes out the last ninety seconds with solid gold metalcore passage and onward into the next. And so on, swinging between genres like Elizabeth Taylor used to get through husbands.
The best part of it is that it’s all blended and played with such skill that you never hear the join; overall, it’s one of the most seamless listening experiences you could ever have. Certainly in the case of ‘Shattered’, in which DBD casually throw in stop-start Unearth-style riffage with barely a ripple amongst the swirling maelstrom. ‘Battle On’ has an unusual lolloping riff that brings to mind Dark Tranquillity, or even some of Cradle of Filth’s more progressive cuts. It must also be said that the keyboard playing throughout is also a tad more inventive than just leaning on the appropriate chords: ‘Die To Yourself’ is an example of how effectively they operate as a counterpoint to the main melody.
If you like your metal to be challenging, skilful and satisfying, this is the album for you. An album that reveals new depths in every listen, ‘Kings Of You’ is a bold claim, but justified. The only disappointment is that being from the US and Scandinavia, I can’t end this review with a turgid smorgasbord reference. Instead, I’ll just tell you to go out and buy this album.
http://www.myspace.com/darknessbeforedawn
