Album Review: Dunwich Dreams – Rise of the Seventh Sun (Self Released)

Dunwich Dreams is an industrial metal band from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Formed in 2015, they began writing songs inspired by their love of horror literature. Combining electronic melodies with heavy guitar riffs, they invite you to head bang or dance.

Their new album, Rise of the Seventh Sun is out on March 10th, 2023. It is an exploration of various end of the world myths from different cultures, reimagined into a musical journey of hellish delight. Inspiration was taken from legends and tales from Buddhist, Irish, Egyptian, Aztec, and Norse mythology.

It’s been a fascinating experience getting to know Dunwich Dreams as they’ve released single after single in the build to the unleashing of this full-length record. From the dark and sinister heaviness of The Black Wings of War, which is a great showcase of the group’s eccentric style of Lovecraftian industrial metal.

To the nightmarish and horror laden title track. Where disorder reigns and there is little semblance of rhythm. The sonic equivalent to gazing upon something the mind just can’t comprehend, sending it spiralling into madness. To the memorable dark industrial beats and atmospheric metal, of the album finale, The Serpent’s Flight.

We’ve listened to Dunwich Dreams in shock and awe, both spellbound and disturbed. Something that continues upon hearing the rest of the tracks of this album. Tracks like the synth heavy and crunchy metal psychedelia of Onward to Ragnarök or the ominous chaos of the industrial horror that is A Darkness Hungers.

However, all that pales in comparison to the insanity that is Coded for Contention. The vocals are drawling here, which doesn’t sound particularly great, but when they switch to the more aggressive style, they’re delightfully intense. Around that is a cacophony of effects, abrasive rhythms, tone shifts, and melody. It’s extremely odd, even when compared to everything else on the album.

Continuing to create baffling and unique soundscapes, Dunwich Dreams assault the senses with jarring industrial-heavy noise on The Somnambulist. Before delivering a blend of chunky riff work and sharp electronica in the form of Vengeance’s Folly – credit for The Dark Tower reference though. Followed then by the punchy darkness of Violent Sticky Sex. One of the best tracks on the album as it sounds so sleazy.

It’s certainly a unique album, that can be said for sure. It has its problems, for starters it might just be too weird, but offers enough interesting ideas to keep you listening on.

Dunwich Dreams – Rise of the Seventh Sun Track Listing:

1. The Black Wings of War
2. Onward to Ragnarök
3. Rise Of the Seventh Sun
4. A Darkness Hungers
5. Coded For Contention
6. The Somnambulist
7. Vengeance’s Folly
8. Violent Sticky Sex
9. The Serpent’s Flight

Links

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Youtube | Presave | Bandcamp Pre-Order