Beyond Dawn
Pity Love

The Norwegians might be grumpy, unpleasant, and unapproachable. I'm not racist... but certain nations, believe it or not, have rather defined characteristics.
Yet, despite their "coldness," Norwegians have shown creativity and imagination. Let's think of The 3rd And The Mortal, Bel Canto, Motorpsycho, or certain black metal bands (Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum and Solefald). All "revolutionary" and certainly intriguing entities.

However, another name should be added to the list: Beyond Dawn.
A group of doomsters and dark artists, raised with extreme metal but arriving at solutions of an entirely different nature. Genius! But people don't give a damn about them. The usual story, don't make me repeat it!

Honestly, I appreciate the more "metal" aspect of the band, and "Pity Love" even though it may not seem like it, is part of this phase. But please, don't think of the doom of Cathedral or the black metal of many of their fellow Norwegians. No. Here, metal is a channel, not the sole one, to filter decadent emotions and moods.
The guitar distortions are very different from those of My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost. The duration of the tracks is not monolithic. The bass plays a very important role, and the voice seems, growl aside, closer to that of a Cure fan rather than that of a macho metalhead.
There is also a trumpet that is very, very exciting! How many metal bands have used a trumpet? None.

It is a slow, dark, and mournful pace that accompanies us from the first to the last track. An expression not of the usual "gothicness," but believe me, of the genius of a group of young people coming from that land I've described with disdain at the beginning of the review.
Buy it!