The Summary Judgment Review:
Title: Under the Bleeding Sky
Artist: Final Dawn
Label: Candlelight Records
Release Date: 8/24/04

Rating:2 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Metal Militia (8/24/05):
    Coming all the way from Finland, we have Final Dawn. Their debut album, Under The Bleeding Sky was released a little over a year ago by Karmageddon Media and locally here in the United States on Candlelight Records. Originally intended as an EP to be released on the now dead New Aeon label, Karmageddon got the band to record three more tracks to make it a full length but I'm not entirely sure it was worth the effort.

    Final Dawn play melodic death metal that is clearly death metal. There is no Gothenburg stupidity to be found here, whereas In Flames, Soilwork, Arch Enemy etc., kneel at the throne of Iron Maiden and At the Gates and do equal disservice to both, Final Dawn at least provides a respectful, if a bit bland, mid-paced album. Think of The Crown, but a bit slower and not as catchy, throw in some slightly corny melodies and a few European death metal cliches, and you have Final Dawn. Not bad, easy to headbang to and enjoyable in small doses but a bit too simplistic and generic for my tastes.

    I have as much trouble praising this album as I do critiquing it. The guitar work is competent, and there are more then a couple catchy moments, the vocals and drumming are well done, there aren't any embarrassing "clean" vocal sections and the music overall has some heft to it which I like. But at the same time just when I think I going to get pummeled with a sick thrash break or run over by a menacing riff I hear a light, fluffy melody. If death metal is how an album is advertised, then I certainly don't expect to hear anything that can be described as "light" or "fluffy" whether it's a melody line or otherwise, add to that some boring solo's and I just can't see myself ever really going back to this record.

    That being said, I can also see this band possibly doing something more interesting in the future. This being their first official full-length release they certainly have some upside. If they can focus a little more on the death side of things and add some meat to their melodic side they may end up with an above average release. Finland has been responsible for many great metal acts and I hope Final Dawn aspires to reach similar heights.
    2 out of 5

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