Stormbringers
Before the Dawn · 2023
40 min · 9 tracks · death metal
A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and haunting melodies, weaving dark lyrical themes with the intensity of death metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Destroyer — As the lead single, this track captures the album's aggressive energy and showcases powerful guitar work paired with emotive lyrics about overcoming despair.
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Chains — Chains features a compelling dynamic shift between melodic verses and explosive choruses, illustrating the band's ability to blend heaviness with melody effectively.
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The Weight — This closing track stands out for its introspective lyrics and gradual build-up, culminating in an intense emotional release that resonates deeply with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions with varied tempos and vocal styles, maintaining a strong cohesion throughout.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent tempo that gradually increases in intensity, culminating in a climactic finish before the fourth track introduces a slower, more melodic section.
- The album features layered guitar harmonies and contrasting vocal styles, alternating between growls and clean singing to enhance the emotional impact of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional crescendos throughout
- haunting atmosphere for deep focus
- powerful soundscapes for introspection
- consistent build leading to release
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer lighthearted, upbeat vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on June 30, 2023, Stormbringers is Before the Dawn's first album in nearly a decade, following 2014's Rise of the Phoenix. This release marks a significant return to form for the Finnish band, showcasing their evolution while staying true to their melodic death metal roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Opeth· Katatonia· Swallow the Sun
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Dawn 1:57
- 2 Destroyer 4:31
- 3 Reveries 4:31
- 4 Downhearted 4:50
- 5 Chains 4:52
- 6 Divided 5:02
- 7 The Dark 5:11
- 8 Chaos Star 4:07
- 9 The Weight 5:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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