by Paul Kott

While not the most original, this is a very interesting effort, with mid-tempo epic guitar work and interesting song dynamics throughout. All of the excellent musicianship and black metal-style songwriting were executed by just two individuals, J. Renkse on drums and guitars and Fredrik Norman on guitars and bass. The overall sound is very cohesive, with the now fairly typical screaming black metal-style vocals performed by a third individual, Marten Hansen. Although a project initially confined to the studio, this material is creative and impressive enough to have gained a following without the touring that's often crucial for a metal band. Tastefully applied effects, such as a subtle flanger on some acoustic parts, keep the listener engaged and accentuate the spooky and cathedral-sized proportions of the melodic riffing. Grey Dawn is an emotional and inspiring debut.