Album Notes

OVERVIEW
Modern edged black / death anthems melt your face off on the debut from Darkness Before Dawn. Hailing from Glendale, Arizona, Darkness Before Dawn is no stranger to the extreme underground, being a consistent force in the Southwest US for several years. The band released a 5-song EP in 2007 that had an epic metalcore sound, borrowing heavily from death and symphonic black metal. They followed that up with a 3-song demo that firmly rooted the band in the throes of modern death / black, and it was this demo that led to the signing with Bombworks Records. Darkness Before Dawn’s debut full length takes cues from symphonic black metal, death metal and prog while retaining a modern edge, incorporating death growls and black shrieks, blazing guitar leads, bombastic drumming and bass work, and keyboards to provide atmosphere throughout. The result is a powerful wall of sound complete with pounding aggression and killer melodies and hooks that the listener will remember long after the song is over. The live show is a treat as well, as the band exudes infectious musical energy, and frontman Logan is a beast who can work a crowd like few frontmen can. “King’s To You” was recorded in the legendary Lambesis Studios in southern California, guaranteeing an aural experience that will totally annihilate the listener’s
auditory functions. Fans of Dethklok, Behemoth, Abigail Williams, In Flames, and The Black Dahlia Murder will all find something to love here, as well as any self respecting fan of melodic death metal, black metal, or extreme metal in general. Prepare to meet your maker and face checkmate as you experience the crushing force that is Darkness Before Dawn!

SELLING POINTS
• First full-length album
• 11 brand new songs
• 8-panel foldout digipak packaging
• For fans of Dethklok, Behemoth, Abigail Williams, In Flames, and The Black Dahlia Murder
• Reviews and advertising in major publications
• Active Myspace and web promotion at: www.myspace.com/darknessbeforedawn
• Active touring band

TRACKLIST
1. Monster Condo
2. Undeserved Hatred
3. Mobius Strip
4. The Slain Reunion
5. Kings To You
6. Shattered
7. Prophetic Heresy
8. Battle On
9. Die To Yourself
10. Material Existence
11. Symbiosis

WHITE THRONE BLOG REVIEW
My initial impression of Arizona is a hot and arid state with lots of sand. Whether that stereotype is accurate or not could be open for debate. What I am sure of is that in the summer temperatures routinely topple the 110 degree mark. Perhaps it’s because of that intense heat that brought Darkness Before Dawn into the studio to record this hot disc. King's to You is the title of their debut release.

Melodic death metal perhaps like Dark Tranquility or Scar Symmetry (minus the clean vocals). By the groups own admission influences range from The Black Dahlia Murder, Dethklok, Behemoth and many others to numerous to mention. The riffs here are hard and fast with little use of subtlety.

Now I would normally say this isn’t my favorite brand of metal, but since I’ve been listening to the latest from Dagon and In Grief my take on extreme vocals has changed a bit. Most importantly to me is that the songs have some melody or hook, if it’s there then someone can grind away all they want over the top. That was the element that I loved about Dagon’s Terraphobic so much. Melodic opuses with brutal instrumentation and face plastering vocals that worked so well.

DBD brings some melody here on King’s To You but the riffs are more straight ahead with some keyboard orchestration that does add some cool atmosphere. I will say tho that this release isn’t for the faint of heart. King’s to You is hard heavy and dark. From the opening strands of 'Monster Kondo' thru 'The Slain Reunion' and on into 'Material Existence' this release moves like a freight train.

If you’re a fan of this genre there would be no reason I can see that would prevent you from picking this up. The songs are composed and performed with precision. Enough melody to keep the songs separate from one another, nothing like having a release turn into one long song.

Maybe the only complaint I have is that at times the lack of dynamic range does make it a little hard to distinguish point a from point b. Yet I realize in this genre dynamics are generally non existent.

The production is adequate and solidifies this release as a strong death metal offering. Bombworks is definitely a good label to have on your side as they continue to put out strong releases such as this. For a debut King’s To You is worthy of a purchase let’s see what the future holds for them as well.