Album Review: Dusk – Spectrums (Self Released)

Saudi Arabia’s Dusk is a one-man musical progressive metal journey from the mind of Meshari Sangora. On February 17th, 2023, Dusk will release the first full-length album entitled, Spectrums.

Featuring guests such as Khalid C from local Saudi melodic death band Entropia, and Abdulrahman Elghazali. Along with collaborations with international artists such as Aaron Harris of the New York death metal-based band Solemn Vision and the great Jaani Peuhu, previously known from the highly recognized band Swallow The Sun and his current band Ianai.

Describing the album, Dusk had this to say:

I wanted to bring more to the table and make this album a possible gateway to new audiences and perhaps fans from both sides, the metal heads & the non-metal listeners. I think all people who enjoy music will be interested in it, with all that has been added and all the different genres mixed in. What I’m trying to do with this record is to make everyone experience their own feelings and their own journey, the topics for this project are big and very stretched, some of the topics deal with real issues like betrayal and disposition, Love, Hate, and Hope.

A gargantuan and epic undertaking from Dusk, even before you consider the array of guests that complement the overall progressive metal experience. Spectrums is incredibly ambitious and eccentrically pleasing, as the best progressive metal should be.

Featuring twelve tracks of electrifying melody, destructive heaviness, liberal electronica, and theatrical revelations. From beginning to end, Spectrums proves to be an apt title as what Dusk delivers comes from a wide arrangement of genres and styles. This truly can be called an album where you really don’t know what you’re going to get next. Aside from the obvious fact that it’s going to be enchanting in some way.

Of course, that feeling of unsureness as you make your way through an album isn’t going to please everyone. Yet, it’s not a tense experience as the core tenants of Dusk’s sound are always present. It’s going to hit hard, it’s going have melody, odd electronica-focused tangents, and it’s going to have guitar-driven structure that challenges, but never confuses.

How all of this is showcased and how it plays out, is what gives Spectrums its depth. Especially as the album has a ‘side A’ and ‘side B’ make-up. The first side being heavier, more intense, and guitar driven. The second, more focused on electronica and EDM sounds, but still with layers of aggression and strength.

On his own, Meshari Sangora is a talented individual but there’s also no denying the litany of guests add so much to the overall experience. Each with their own style and interesting contribution. Which would be enough to make Spectrums a special album, but the overall imagination in the whole experience is what really sells this one. Even if the contrast between side A and side B might mean the whole thing won’t quite work for everyone.

Dusk – Spectrums Track Listing:

1. The World We Used To Know (Ft. Abzy & Khalid C)
2. Digging Deeper (Ft. Alex Hamilton)
3. Breath In, Breath Out (Ft. Adnan)
4. Hatred (Ft. Alex Hamilton)
5. Lethal Perspectives (Ft. Aron Harris)
6. Agnes Of Rome (Ft. Abzy)
7. Burning In My Mind (Ft. Moe Steiger)
8. Karma Will Find You (Ft. Moe Steiger)
9. Someone To Trust (Ft. Jon Thomas)
10. Only You (Ft. Jaani Peuhu)
11. Celestials (Ft. Iman Ahmed & Abudlrahman Elghazali)
12. Absence of Full

Links

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