Album review: WINTER DAWN – By Embers Embraced

April 8th, 2014 by david.wilson

Self Release (Release date – out now)

Symphonic metal is a genre that can either delight me or distress me. I can usually tell how things are going to go within the first couple of minutes of the opening track and I am glad to say that Winter Dawn impressed from the off. This is the debut album from the Swedes although they have three EP releases to their name recorded over the last six years.

Taking their cues from the likes of Sonata Arctica and Dark Tranquility the six piece imbue each track with power and melody. Each track features strong riffs, provided by Robin Lindblad and Johan Uvesten, which are overlaid with keyboard accents provided by Anders Dahlen.

‘Where Wings Are Torn’ gets things off to a good start, a good melodic rocker with excellent vocals provided by Simon Lindblad. ‘Rising Star’ and ‘My Desolation’ follow with more of the same before the epic ballad ‘A New Dawn’ takes things down a notch or two.

Track of the album for me though is ‘Cape Farewell’ which is next up. This is the heaviest track on the album and romps along on a wave of double bass drums.The track also features guest vocals from former Winter Dawn frontwoman Hilda Geber. The two part track, ‘The White Rose, pts 1 and 2’, show off the band’s talents well providing some tasty playing before the album is rounded off with ‘Tears Of Ice’ which again contains chunky riffs and a big chorus.

One criticism I would make though is that it is all very generic and the band, whilst they are good, provide nothing new to make them stand out from the crowd. The band are currently back in the studio recording a follow up to this album and it will be interesting to see whether they can build on this release to provide something a bit more unique.

***

Review by David Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)