Album Review: Old - Dawn Of Darkness

Old - Dawn Of Darkness

Unsilent Tomb Records - 2023

8/10

Wow, it’s a damn shame that I couldn’t find a copy of this that doesn’t also charge twenty euros for shipping. Regardless, Old are an old(er) band that only reached my radar due to the release of their latest album, Dawn Of Darkness. Upon discovery, I also found that it has been nearly two decades since the last album, which may explain why they held a black/thrash label. I say that because this latest effort by the German quintet seems to only barely boast those thrash sensations, residing far more on the black metal end of things.

Thus, it should be no surprise that this would have worked perfectly as the bridge between the first and second wave of black metal. If Bathory weren’t around to take on that transition themselves, this would have fit right into the scene in the late ‘80s. Presented under a nasty atmosphere, Old combines crippling speeds in even proportions with slow and steady chops meant to cast a heavier impact. Vocals swap between your typical black shrieks and toned-down gruff that tend to ride the more focused rhythms. Together, they fit as nicely as a precision die-cut puzzle. Long, drawn out solos or any real signs of blast beats are mostly void, as unloading too much of that may have removed some of the charm. 

Instead, the German outfit focuses on tactful repetition, working wonderfully for the couple longer tunes and the faster blows alike. In fact, closer “Darkness In Me” does this nicely, not only being my favorite track, but easily containing the most sinister edge. At the expense of contradicting myself, a clean lead even takes hold for an eye of the storm effect in the song’s center, being the only solo that jumps out at me. Dawn Of Darkness may not be full of standout moments outside of that track, though much of this smooth trajectory under a crushing scope works so well likely because of this. I can’t really knock it too hard, especially since there isn’t really much of anything worth complaining about, either. 

For those seeking a more intricate helping that packs a lot into one idea, you’ll find that in “One Verses All” or the aforementioned “Darkness In Me.” For the straightforward digestible numbers, perhaps look to “Tyrants Of Death” or “Sombra del Mal.” Neither case will leave you desiring more, and the record’s brief runtime certainly aids in its ability to hold your attention. Short repetition is sometimes the only good repetition.