Album review: WINTER DAWN – By Embers Embraced

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

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)