Embers of Dawn is on fire.
In 2026, the band led by Austin Graves (vocals), Cliff Ross (guitar), Scott Van Horn (bass), and Grover Norton (drums) unveils its new album, Infernal Culture.
Adrian Erlandsson (At the Gates, The Haunted, ex-Brujeria, ex-Cradle of Filth, ex-Paradise Lost…) handled drum recordings.
The album kicks off with Eden Unknown and its futuristic sample, which offers one of the last moments of respite before the arrival of aggressive riffs and powerful vocals that reinforce the track’s dark side, though the melodic death metal-infused leads add a brighter touch. The clean vocals come as a surprise before the final, but Infernal quickly takes over to develop a danceable vibe in Industrial Metal’s purest tradition with its catchy tones, all while maintaining a furious yet groovy energy. There’s a hint of melancholy in Don’t Wait to Die, especially during the guitar-free passages, but its straightforward heaviness combined with Austin’s quite expressive vocals gives it a unique flavor, as if the singer were warning us before a heavy break. The final chorus leads into Shadow of Her Veil and its gentle opening before shifting into driving riffs, contrasted by the more oppressive vocal parts that permeate the jerky rhythm section, before Age of Corrosion offers a more dynamic touch while remaining within this modern and lively atmosphere, thanks in particular to the samples. The Passing features almost theatrical tones with its cybernetic keyboards, which reinforce the heavy, slow pace the band builds, then we return to liveliness and aggression with Static Prayer and its Heavy Metal undertones that fit the band’s style perfectly. The drums play a major role in the accelerations that create some fairly dense passages, and then we move on to the remix of The Only Gods; however, since I’m not familiar with the original version, I can only say that the track is perfectly served by the industrial elements, which elevate it to expressive and impressive choruses. The band closes out the album with a remastered version of Wolf Moon, drawing on obvious gothic influences to give it a rather dark tone at first, creating a contrast with the more lively sections which are perfectly executed, and making this final track quite special.
Embers of Dawn was completely unknown to me just a few hours ago, but their blend of Industrial Metal with diverse influences will undoubtedly help them conquer even more local stages. Infernal Culture is meant to be experienced live and is sure to appeal to fans of the genre.
70/100