SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DAWN OF ASHES – SCARS OF THE BROKEN

Dawn Of Ashes
Scars Of The Broken
Artoffact Records

Some say the best albums take listeners on a journey. That’s exactly what Dawn of Ashes latest album Scars of the Broken is. However, it’s not a journey to a good place. It’s a downward spiral into the lows of depression and despair.

The LP kicks off with the track, “(Descending) Torn Inside.” This opener is just under two minutes of agonizing screams atop a backdrop of goth industrial ambiance. Other notable tunes include the minimalism and orchestral work in “Love is Asphyxiation” or the pummeling drums in “EMDR.”

The lyrics do nothing to counter the negative emotions.

“Another failure/
Another dying moment/
Another reason for us to lose hope/
Another beating/
Another night alone/
Another reason to kill our love,”

Kristof Bathory sings.

The vocal phrasing does get repetitious at times. The style is rooted in black metal. Most of the vocals are barked or shrieked out in the typical fashion of the genre.

The album closes with “(Ascending) Catharsis”, a title that seems to imply that the listener is coming out of the dark at the end of a dismal journey. This instrumental is least bleak track on them all.

Overall, this album is recommended to anyone who loves industrial black metal or anyone who doesn’t mind a depressive ride down the rabbit hole. The songs are dark, but that’s ok. Music is a healthy way to deal with being in a dark place.

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