Live Review: Dawn Ray'd @ The Black Heart, Camden
Review by Robbie Maguire
Album release shows are becoming increasingly common now and this gig in support of the release of 'Behold Sedition Plainsong' by British Black Metal trio Dawn Ray'd was supplemented by Wound and Burning Vow making it a very strong bill.
Wound warmed the sizeable crowd up with their sludgy, doom infused hardcore. Visually they were an engaging band clearly enthused to be playing to a receptive crowd. Seizing the opportunity with their heavy bass driven sound they had many a head nodding from the gig goers. They pummelled their way through a brutal set which moved between fast numbers and then chuggier slabs of noise. A tight group from the outset with the vocalist doing his job with conviction from the pit. A band well worth checking out if you like things darker, doomier and sludgier.
There is no way you could watch a Burning Vow show and not (a) enjoy it and (b) bang/nod your head in time to the mid paced doomy metal. (Of course if you are not a fan of said doomy, sludgy metal then there is every chance you wont enjoy a Burning Vow show). It seemed though most in attendance were fans and if they weren't familiar with Burning Vow they will be checking out more of their work. You see what they do, they do very well. With riffs so huge and a rhythm section so tight the overall sound is colossal without being overpowering. 'Apathy and Acceptance' and 'Alpha.Omega.Erasure' were highlights of a very strong set.
Burning Vow are a prime example that playing fast is not always everything. Very much so in their case when you've got the riffs, groove and a frontman whose reverb soaked voice complimented the heaviness. A performance from a band with no need for theatrics. They have the stage presence, the sound and the delivery of their doom soaked metal down to a fine art where no gimmicks are required.
With acclaimed reviews and an increased interest in their development Dawn Ray'd, whilst with nothing to prove, did need to deliver a show that could transfer into the live environment the sheer power and feeling they created on 'Behold Sedition Plainsong'. Dawn Ray'd immediately lifted the energy levels within the packed room. Beginning with 'Raise the Flails' frontman Simon strikingly bellowing to the crowd,
'"Pull the trigger, bend the bow, wield your mighty lances, it's time for new tales of resistance" .
The ferocity of 'Like Smoke into Fog' and 'The Smell of Ancient Dust' did not diminish the tightness of the trio who clearly were able to convey the atmosphere of the new songs on records and somehow intensify their sound and feeling. In Simon they have a very engaging frontman. His vocal delivery, which live sounds even more harrowing and direct, added to his captivating persona. The Violin sections cutting through the brutal black metal so clearly as in 'To All, To All, To All' were a calming respite and the slower parts allowed you to take stock pause and let the beauty of the arrangements be fully enjoyed.
The sonic barrage of savage rhythm created by Fabian (guitars) and Matthew (drums) was relentless. The quality sound in the venue allowed the icy guitar to sit perfectly within the catchy crafted songs and Fabian cut a striking figure echoing the lyrics powerfully to the crowd. Despite being barely visible at the back of the stage, Matthew's delivery of the drums although brutally heavy, easily kept everything together and in the process sounding monstrous.
Dawn Ray'd played with no fuss. The plain white lighting and small amount of dry ice adding to the atmosphere. They proved if you have the strength of material and the ability to play, with personality and as a tight and cohesive band then little else is required.
Simon spoke briefly of the bands desire for the world to be a safer, happier and fairer place. A place where fascism is not tolerated. He spoke of the need to fight capitalism and of the people fighting for animal rights, environmental issues, women's rights and those helping refugees before dedicating a triumphant 'Emptiness Beneath the Great Emptiness'.
Dawn Ray'd simply brushed aside any doubters there may have been in attendance and showed why any hype and increased expectations was wholly justified. On the back of 'Behold Sedition Plainsong' and tonight's live celebration, they have shown why they are not only one of the most important bands in UK extreme metal but metal in general.
