Into The Lair Of The Sun God is a concept album. Let’s just get that part out of the way. But don’t be alarmed, because although that phrase is enough to send chills down the spine, Dawnbringer have crafted a magnificent slice of true American heavy metal with their fifth full length. And what a damn good ride it is.
Following one man on his journey to the aforementioned Lair and the highs and lows he encounters and the conquests and the calamities he faces, Dawnbringer’s latest record is a masterful approach to the terrifying prospect of telling a story. Focusing on a young man and his headstrong will to take on a task he might not actually be able to complete, Into The Lair Of The Sun God is a thrilling voyage into the deep unknown. Tracks are named for roman numerals, giving this record a narrative thrust that demands your attention.
Vocalist Chris Black (who can also be found jamming on guitar, bass and blimey, the drums too) has a superb heavy metal pedigree having played with genre greats High Spirits, Pharaoh and Superchrist and his clean lilt is warm and pure and carries a tangible weight of emotion. Beginning with “I” and the gentle sounds of waves lapping against a forgotten shore Into The Lair Of The Sun God soon bursts into life; Black’s bass popping with a lively vitality and his voice just the right side of husky. This record has a beautiful sequence and story-line, and it really pays off to close yourself to the outside world and escape into this universe created by a mesmerising force in traditional sounding heavy as heck metal. Listen to the words sung with passion and belief, the tightly controlled drum beats and the expertly paced and thundering riffs.
It’s not all furiously driving chords and speeding blasts though; “V” holds a mournful spirit in its slow and languid tempo and feels like a sadly mature paean to lost love whilst “VII” burns with an intoxicating flame of bombast. Measured and precise strikes of hazy bass intersect with grandiose guitar lines and Dawnbringer hurtle towards the closing stages of this album and ultimately the conclusion of this adventure.
This record is incredibly good fun, the constant change up of pace and curious little sounds and touches that snake their way through each track brings a genuine uplifting atmosphere to proceedings. The militaristic drum beat of “III” and the deep and dark chant that blurs into the landscape, the completely mad organ-esque solo that appears on “VI “ giving a bizarre prog-like essence to the album and the sudden finality of closing track “IX” all make Into The Lair Of The Sun God an exhilarating flight of fantastic proportions. Dawnbringer might have, at long last, made an impact with 2010’s Nucleus, but with this….oh, they have arrived.
Head on over to the Profound Lore Store to order. Don’t make a mistake. This rules.
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