EP Review: Before the Dawn – Archaic Flame (Napalm Records)

Carl Fisher 2 min read

After a decade of silence, Before the Dawn shattered expectations with their comeback album, ‘Stormbringers’, and the reconquering of Europe’s stages in 2023. Now, the Finnish metal juggernauts triumphantly return to the forefront of the metal scene with their brand-new EP, ‘Archaic Flame’. Scheduled for release on March 8, 2024 via Napalm Records.

It won’t just be Before the Dawn fans who have a big smile on their face following the stonking opening title track, but melodic death metal fans in general. If, by some miracle, you’re a melodeath fan and haven’t had the Before the Dawn experience before, this kickass EP opener is going to make you an instant fan. Fast guitars (and a brilliant solo), pounding drums, and vocals that are both grim and grand, all layered with a creative melodic sheen.

It’s such an exciting start, and nearly bettered by the Chaos Sequence, where there’s a heavier death metal infusion. Once again though, those vocals are simply stunning. The chorus is immense and this is a track with even more atmosphere oozing through it.

How do you feel about Canadian musician Bryan Adams? I ask because his song, Run to You, gets the Before the Dawn cover treatment. Who would have ever thought it? Likewise, who would ever have thought they would do such a damn fine job of it too? Keeping it clean (mostly) but utilising some big synth sounds, it’s a fun and different version.

Finally, to cap off a killer EP that helps keep Before the Dawn at the forefront of the mind, it’s a live version Dying Sun. A beloved Before the Dawn track taken from their 2008 album, Soundscape of Silence. This live version comes from a show they did at the Finnish venue Logomo in September 2023 and it accomplishes exactly what it should, which is make you wish you were there to experience it in the flesh.

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Before the Dawn – Archaic Flame Track Listing:

1. Archaic Flame
2. Chaos Sequence
3. Run to You (Bryan Adams Cover)
4. Dying Sun (Live)




Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Napalm Records

Author

  • Carl Fisher

    Owner/Administrator/Editor/Writer/Interviewer/YouTuber - you name it, I do it. I love gaming, horror movies, and all forms of heavy metal and rock. I'm also a Discworld super-fan and love talking all things Terry Pratchett. Do you wanna party? It's party time!

Before the Dawn - Archaic Flame (Napalm Records)
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