Summoning – Old Mornings Dawn - Album Streaming & Download

Origin : Austria

Genre : Atmospheric Black Metal

Release : 2013

Album downloads only available to members

Album Info / Review

Intro:
The Austrian masters of atmospheric black metal, Summoning, return with “Old Mornings Dawn,” a testament to their enduring mastery of sonic landscapes. This album, their ninth full-length, delves once more into the melancholic grandeur of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, weaving a tapestry of frost-kissed forests, ancient ruins, and the eternal struggle against encroaching darkness. Far from a mere retread, “Old Mornings Dawn” showcases a refined evolution of Summoning’s signature sound, retaining the core elements that have captivated their devoted fanbase while pushing the boundaries of their epic scope and emotional resonance. The production, as always, is meticulously crafted, allowing each layer of synthesized orchestration, reverberating guitar, and distant, guttural vocals to breathe and coalesce into a powerful, immersive experience.

Track Analysis:
“Old Mornings Dawn” opens with the title track, an immediate plunge into a vast, desolate expanse. Slow, deliberate drumming anchors a sweeping synth melody, painting a picture of a world awakening under a pale, ethereal sun. The guitars, when they emerge, are not aggressive but rather textural, adding a layer of mournful atmosphere. “The Battle of the Five Armies” is a more dynamic affair, though still firmly rooted in Summoning’s characteristic pacing. The synths swell with a martial, yet somber, grandeur, and Silas’s signature, almost whispered vocals, convey a sense of weary determination. The track builds to a powerful, albeit restrained, crescendo, evoking the clash of armies and the weight of destiny.

“Longing for the Sun” shifts the mood to one of profound introspection. The synths here are particularly poignant, carrying a melody that feels both ancient and deeply personal. The vocal delivery is more prominent, a mournful lament that speaks of loss and the fading of hope. The guitar work is sparse but effective, providing a melancholic counterpoint to the synth’s dominant presence. “Caradhras” is an instrumental piece that truly embodies the album’s title. It’s a slow burn, building a sense of immense, frozen majesty. The layered synths create a sense of glacial movement, and subtle percussive elements add a chilling realism, as if the wind itself is singing a lament across a snow-swept peak.

“The Spur” introduces a slightly more urgent, though still measured, tempo. The synths retain their epic quality, but there’s a sense of forward momentum, perhaps representing a desperate charge or a perilous journey. The vocalizations are more layered and chanting, adding to the ritualistic feel. “The Darkest Gate” is a stark, almost claustrophobic track. The synths are darker, more dissonant, and the vocal performance is more guttural, bordering on despair. This track feels like a descent into the abyss, a confrontation with the ultimate shadow.

“Across the Misty Mountains” reprises the theme of journey and vastness. The synths are soaring and majestic, with a sense of awe and wonder. The guitars are more present here, weaving intricate, atmospheric lines that complement the grand synth melodies. The track evokes the feeling of traversing immense, untamed landscapes. “Farewell” concludes the album with a sense of elegiac resignation. The synths are subdued and mournful, and the vocals are distant and fading, like an echo from a forgotten age. It’s a fittingly somber and beautiful closing, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of the epic saga that has unfolded.

Conclusion:
“Old Mornings Dawn” is a triumph of atmospheric black metal, solidifying Summoning’s position as unparalleled architects of sonic fantasy. The album masterfully balances the melancholic beauty of their signature sound with a palpable sense of epic scale and emotional depth. The intricate layering of synthesizers, guitars, and vocals creates a world that is both breathtakingly vast and intimately resonant. It is an album that demands repeated listens, each immersion revealing new nuances and further solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the genre. Summoning has once again proven their ability to conjure entire worlds from sound, and “Old Mornings Dawn” is a testament to their enduring artistic vision.