There’s no denying that Dawnbringer was one of the finest and most innovative American metal bands of the 2000s. Their fusion of fierce black metal and obscure traditional metal, among other sounds and subgenres, made each album an exciting listen. As of now, the duo consisting of everyman Chris Black and guitarist Scott Hoffman is still active. However, with hard and heavy superstars High Spirits taking up most of Black’s time (and Hoffman’s too for that matter, since he is part of their live band), time will tell when a new Dawnbringer album sees the light of day (pun fully intended).
In between Dawnbringer’s 2016 disbandment and 2020 reformation, Hoffman formed a new project carrying on the band’s tradition of metallic exploration, appropriately named Nite. The ethos remains the same, even if the music is not. Nite doesn’t come off as a continuation of Dawnbringer, but rather a distant cousin who brings equally as much to the table in terms of experimentation and creativity. The band’s second album, Voices of the Kronian Moon, is without a doubt one of the most unique metal albums released this year thus far, flirting with various styles from song to song, yet never really settling on one.
At it’s core, one could say this is a traditional metal record, but that’s a stretch considering it doesn’t blatantly sound like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, or even Mercyful Fate. Furthermore, there’s an underlying cold, gothic atmosphere that permeates the riffs, melodies, and overall arrangements. Would that make this gothic metal? Perhaps, but not in the Unto Others (formerly Idle Hands) sense. Add to that some blackened vocals and underlying intricacies, and you’ve got a real cornucopia of dark, heavy sounds for the ear to dissect.
The gothic elements prevail on cuts like the ominous “Liber Ex Doctrina” and morose “Edge of the Night”, the latter of which boasts traditional gallop riffs, resulting in a Judas Priest meets Sisters of Mercy showdown. Some songs utilize retro hard rocking grooves (“Last Scorpion”) while others sneak in AOR inspired melodies (“Kronian Moon”). Through it all is a penchant for old school heaviness (“The Trident”), epicness (“Heliopolis”), and the outright strange (“Thorns”). This is metal forged in the same avant-garde flame as Celtic Frost’s Into the Pandemonium (1987). It isn’t for everyone, despite offering something for everyone. It sounds oxymoronic on paper, but you’ve gotta hear it to believe it!
Voices of the Kronian Moon is a feast of dreary riffs, soulful soloing, and hypnotic rhythms, wrapped up into fresh compositions that pay respect to the 80s without shamefully aping the beloved and bygone era. It’s drab enough for the goths, traditional enough for the purists, and evil enough for the kvlt crowd. The darkness of Nite will surely hold me over until the mystical light of Dawnbringer shines once again! Until then, I patiently gaze upon the pale glow of the Kronian Moon.
7 out of 10
Label: Season of Mist
Genre: Black/Heavy Metal
For fans of: Dawnbringer, Tribulation, In Solitude