The first cut to land on my desk this year is the new EP from Los Angeles based Abysmal Dawn, with their first new music since 2020’s Phylogenesis (Season of Mist) full-length. So, to get the new cut was killer, not to mention I’m a Season of Mist fan, so that was double awesome. With that being said though good things definitely come to those who wait. Even though this is an EP it still tears it up. With blistering displays of guitar prowess and super thick melodies these cuts are killer. The drums are insane and are almost to the point of unbelievable as far as speed and technique go, which is something I really dig. They undeniably flex their metal muscle in the tracks presented and even though there are only two OG tracks (sorry for the spoiler, but there are covers) this is definitely an awesome display of where the band is going sonically.

Ok now to talk about the aforementioned covers. I for one actually love covers. I also love them to be a surprise so I won’t identify them, but will say they are superbly delivered. The first is an awesome display of speed and power showing technique mixed with feels. The second really blew me away vocally. Don’t get me wrong the music itself is absolutely awesome but man those vocals are something else.

All in all, I think this EP does exactly what an EP is supposed to do, and that is to leave the listener begging for more. I for one can’t wait for a full length to hopefully be following up very soon.

Buy the album soon: https://shopusa.season-of-mist.com/band/abysmal-dawn

7 / 10

TORBJORN SOLGARD