Masterful new release by Dutch goth metallers.
We don’t normally cover EPs, but it’s worth making an exception for Dutch goth metallers A New Dawn and their masterful new release ‘Finally…’. A lot has been going on with the band since the release of their debut album ‘Falling From Grace’ in 2008; mostly good, but on the downside they lost one of the trademark duo-lead female singers, and for a while the band have been performing with just Jamila Ifzaren up front. For these recordings, Alysia van Horik signed up, and she has now joined the band full time, re-affirming the status quo once more, as has Mike van de Heuvel who provides the material’s extreme vocals.
The first thing that springs to mind from the three songs showcased here is that the band are heavier and more progressive in their approach this time around. Opener ‘Desire’ has more time-changes than the first four Iron Maiden albums, and in fact it’s the East Enders who spring to mind first and foremost in terms of the way the song is structured. ‘Masque Of The Red Death’ sounds not unlike our own female-fronted metal hurricane Liquid Sky at first, until the song gives way to a ever-building counterpoint section reminiscent of guitarist Elbert de Hoog’s beloved Savatage.
As for the last offering, ‘Final Verdict’, this is where everyone gets to let loose on what sounds not unlike a ‘Neon Knights’-style workout. Or so it seems. After about three minutes of flailing hair and chest-beating, the song takes a left-turn and becomes quite a different beast, twisting and turning for another five minutes or so until it rides out to its climax.
The voices of the two singers Ifzaren and van Horik work well together and stand up beautifully alongside (and above) the torrents of riffs from the guys behind them, and the guitarists weave in and out of what are quite complicated pieces. Not so sure about the grunts on ‘Final Verdict’, but they don’t detract from what is an extremely accomplished release. I’m really surprised no label’s picked up on A New Dawn yet; they could be huge.
Pick up a copy at: www.anewdawnband.nl
John Tucker
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