Before The Dawn is truly a solo effort by mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen, who in 1999, conjured up a memorizing brew of high-classed growling and flamboyant gothic death metal. Through the years, Saukkonen retained the services of many but found the final jewel with clean vocalist Lars Eikind (Winds). The crippling power behind the guitar of Saukkonen and Juho Räihä can be compared to the raw riffs of Scar Symmetry and Sentenced.

“Scar” is one hell of a tune turning up the volume and adding a slight hint of acoustic style guitar bringing the song to its full embodiment. “Angel's Tombstone” and “Black Dawn” are two more songs that take Before The Dawn to another level above the norm. I really like the mixture of clean and growling vocals, which give depth to the songs like the Clash of the Titans. You may read good and bad reviews on this one, but I am here to tell you that there are some songs that will give you a head rush; this band is overflowing with talent. Regardless, whether you’re into gothic, death or heavy metal you should give this CD a listen.

If you are a hardcore deathmetal fan this might not be the CD for you because of its highly melodic tunes and the title track might turn you off-- its death RAP that I am particularly not fond of. But Before The Dawn does leave you with a great tune in “...Nowhere.”