Here we have a heavy metal supergroup of sorts, the duo of ex-Fates Warning guitarist Victor Arduini (who appeared on that bands first two albums) and Argus vocalist Brian Balich, with drummer Chris Judge rounding out the recording line-up for their Cruz Del Sur debut Dawn of Ages. Perhaps not household names for most, but there's no doubt people will be standing up and taking notice after giving a list to this very powerful album. Given Balich's penchant for classic metal & doom with his band Argus as well as Arduini's epic, doomy prog-metal leanings during the early days of Fates Warning, it's no surprise that Dawn of Ages takes a similar path, featuring six lengthy tracks that display a wealth of mammoth riffs and powerful vocal histrionics. Tunes such as "The Fallen", "Into Exile" (check out the almost Sabbath-ian riff here), and "Forever Fade" steamroll with hefty might, Arduini's riffs colossal, the lead work sizzling, and Balich taking things into classic Candlemass, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow territory with his commanding vocal presence. "Beyond the Barricade" clocks in at over 17-minutes of doom, prog, and classic metal bliss, while Arduini unleashes a torrent of blistering guitar solos over funeral doom riffs on the somber instrumental "The Gates of Acheron".
Once again, the folks at Cruz Del Sur do not disappoint, as this debut from Arduini/Balich is a complete winner and an easy recommendation for any fan of doom, progressive & classic heavy metal. Hopefully it's not a one-off and we can expect more from the duo in the not too distant future.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) The Fallen
2) Forever Fade
3) Into Exile
4) The Wrath
5) Beyond the Barricade
6) The Gates of Acheron
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