Link to the review: https://metalpurgatorymedia.com/2022/12/13/frozen-dawn-the-decline-of-the-enlightened-gods-review/
Frozen Dawn have been going strong for 15 years, dialing and evolving through their careers on every release. They have been described as intense, melodic at times, aggressive and thrashy with tasteful leads interwoven throughout all their albums. Their newest release The Decline of the Enlightened Gods is another offering showcasing their talents as they’ve evolved.
The opening track, “Mystic Fires of Dark Allegiance” sets the tone for the entire album, with Dani Grinder delivering a powerful yet restrained vocal performance. The instrumentation throughout the album is top-notch, with each member in the band showcasing their expertise. The guitar solos on tracks such as “Black Reign Awaits” and “Wanderer Of Times” are especially noteworthy, as they blend technicality with emotion to create an epic soundscape.
The album continues to build in intensity and complexity as it progresses, with each track standing out on its own. Standout tracks include “The Decline of the Enlightened Gods”, “Oath of Forgotten Past”, and “The Fall of Aeons”(Traditional Acoustic was a nice addition). All of these tracks have a unique and captivating sound that is both melodic and heavy and also show how intricate and talented each member are.
The album showcases the band’s signature blend of atmospheric soundscapes and complex instrumentation, giving the listener an immersive, captivating experience. The songwriting is thoughtful and intricate, as the band takes the listener on a journey of both heavy riffs and melodic passages. The production on this album is top-notch, with every instrument being heard clearly and the mix being balanced and natural. The band also demonstrates their ability to write powerful vocal melodies, with soaring choruses, and delicate harmonies.
Overall, The Decline of the Enlightened Gods is a stunning and powerful album that demonstrates why Frozen Dawn are one of the most exciting and innovative bands in the contemporary black metal/death metal scene. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
Overall score- 9/10
Review by- George Joseph Bauman IV
