Desert Near The End – "The Dawning of the Son"
Desert Near The End are back with yet another excellent record. Their new album is titled "The Dawning of the Son". The new release from Desert Near The End is exactly what we were all waiting for, and even better.
By Dimitris (Bari) Polyzois
I tried in vain to find something actually negative to write, some flaw, just so I wouldn't come off as excessive. "The Dawning of the Son" is a killer record from the local scene.
The new release from Desert Near The End is exactly what we were all waiting for, and even better.
And if anyone, despite the 4 previous incredible works, had doubts about the quality of Desert Near The End, I don't think they can doubt it any longer. Desert prove, once again, that they're one of the most consistent bands when it comes to release quality. With five very solid records now under their belt, ones that don't stay confined within the narrow bounds of power metal, Desert Near The End can be called one of the most important bands on the local scene, with significant influence on the genre they champion.
As is well known by now after 4 releases, concept albums and Desert Near The End go hand in hand. And why not, after all, you don't change a winning team. For "The Dawning of the Son" the band draws inspiration from the book series "The Red Rising Saga", by Pierce Brown. The dystopian world of Pierce Brown combines with the band's explosive and aggressive power metal, creating a wonderful result in which the music and the concept are intertwined.
Epic, aggressive and dynamic, "The Dawning of the Son" is the most Desert Near The End work they've released to date.
The musical maturity is clearly evident in the band's sound, with the compositions sounding more authentic than ever, while the influences that characterize them have been fully digested and function purely as inspiration. The thrash character that once defined them has been slightly toned down. In its place, a more melodic side has emerged, one that falls short in nothing and, paradoxically, sacrifices neither speed nor aggression. On their fifth release, Desert present a melodic profile that runs counter to their previous standards. Yet it fits perfectly with the record's theme, while also reinforcing the epic element. There are also some (melodic) death metal influences on the record, a prime example being the excellent song "Rise for Dominion”.
Desert Desert , then, have created a genuine Extreme Power/Epic metal record, a musically mature album with a fresh sound, full of intensity and explosiveness that you shouldn't miss.
