This is the fourth album from Finnish melodic metal band Dawn of Solace.
I enjoyed 2022’s Flames of Perdition a great deal, so it’s great to now have Affliction Vortex appear amidst the darkness. Dawn of Solace’s return brings us 39 minutes of new material, and they have not disappointed.
Affliction Vortex is an album of melancholic darkness, delivered via the medium of melodic metal tinged with Gothic shading and classic doom metal weight.
At this point Dawn of Solace clearly know their art well, and Affliction Vortex is a sterling example of their work. The quality of the music shines through brightly, despite the emotive darkness of the material. It’s impeccably recorded, with rich melodic tones and warm organic drums. The vocals – growls, screams, and cleans – sound wonderful too. Affliction Vortex is a pleasure to listen to.
The songs are well-written and infused with emotion. They’re well-crafted exemplars of melodic metal, powered by emotion, and helmed by the sumptuous clean singing. It’s all very good. The songs get under your skin surprisingly quickly and are as engaging as I’ve come to expect from this talented band. Each track is a mournful highlight, delivering sorrow-filled depths for the listener to become lost in.
Affliction Vortex is another strong release from Dawn of Solace. In a style that frequently leaves me bored, Dawn of Solace stand out with their ability to draw me in and hold me close. The music is simple and honest, with no pretence or unnecessary nonsense – Affliction Vortex is just a great metal record.
Highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 