EP REVIEW: Just Before Dawn – In The Realm Of Ash And Sorrow

Swedish Death Metal battalion JUST BEFORE DAWN return with a new EP to strike via Raw Skull Recordz on December 18th.

Without warning, the EP kicks off with pummelling mid-tempo drums and Bolt Thrower-esque riffing that hits with a firestorm of sonic artillery as the bellowed vocals join the meaty, crawling Death Metal onslaught. The barrage of violent music is complemented by mournful sections that venture into more doomy territory which gives a ton of atmosphere to the otherwise ferocious music without losing focus. Rhythmically, the crisp riffing and tight bass and drum assault gives a fearsome groove which remains present through most of the record, ensuring a breakneck catchiness is never far away even when offering those funereal moments mentioned before. Crushing all in their path, the opening moments of this EP are triumphant, battle-hardened Death Metal with traditional values, high quality and a wickedly sombre yet brutal execution.

Interestingly this group of Swedes seem to take more inspiration from British Death Metal pioneers such as the aforementioned Bolt Thrower and equally killer acts like Benediction, Cancer and even early Paradise Lost. That said, the Swedish groove is unmistakably present in their delivery which is devastatingly heavy. With more harrowing vocals accentuating the scathe of war, there is an unmistakably emotive side to Just Before Dawn which should be known well to their fans, something that gives the music a more personal bite which complements rather than contradicts its more typical blend of savagery. Overall the mood meanders between feral war-like battery to the sombre reflections that follow battle. Conveying these complex feelings brilliantly while still retaining the overall Death Metal attack is a feat this band has managed excellently for some time and they do not falter here. Closing with a spectacular cover of ENTOMBED’s classic “Drowned” from “Left Hand Path”, a brilliant tribute to the legacy of the late L.G. Petrov, a commendable effort to close out this feisty little EP.

If you enjoy old school Death Metal, it is very likely you will appreciate this short but tasteful dose of war-torn cannonry which is explosive, emotional and absolutely punishing.