Pan.Thy.Monium
Dawn of Dreams

I haven't been around this site for a while, but that doesn't mean I haven't kept an eye on it from time to time. And, honestly, I have to say that here (no offense), by constantly presenting commercial works or niche operettas for connoisseurs, that however are here today, gone tomorrow, it has been somewhat declining. So, in order to shake things up a bit and add a touch of flavor, I'm coming back with a historical masterpiece that so far (incredibly enough) no one has paid attention to: it's "Dawn Of Dreams" by the legendary Pan.Thy.Monium, a splendid boundary-breaking creation by the Mind known as Dan Swanö (who here handles the bass, keyboards, and sound effects).

Many classify this album as "Progressive Death Metal," but in reality, it's something more, especially considering that it was released in 1992. We have in our hands a work that rightfully falls within the Avantgarde, a newborn movement ("Into The Pandemonium" by Celtic Frost was released five years earlier) to which this Swedish group will give a noteworthy and seminal contribution, also because the great Norwegian scene will begin to bloom only in a few years. 

It is clear that we are facing a bizarre and surreal (master)work, a piece that, as the title suggests, aims to convey the idea of the place (or perhaps non-place) from which all dreams originate as fully as possible. Perhaps Pan.Thy.Monium considers it a sort of hyperuranium, or at least a super-celestial area; what is certain is that the cover very well explains the essence of this album. Which is, in a way, also an anti-album: there are no lyrics, the tracks have no titles, the classic song structure is subverted in every way. 

The most representative track is undoubtedly the first: a very long song of almost twenty-two minutes, unfolding between ticking and a floating sax (at the opening and conclusion), amidst riffs sometimes hard rock (Swanian influence) that give way to the cavernous growl of Derelict (that is, Roberth Karlsson, also singer of Scar Symmetry), amidst almost free-jazz outbursts and bird chirps. But that's not all. Try listening to "Untitled 2", where at some point you'll find yourself lost among the peach blossoms. Or number three, where the aforementioned sax of Dag Swanö (brother of Dan) and a flute dance sinuously over Death guitar riffs: it will be as if an incredible beauty starts kicking your groin! Noteworthy is also the beginning of the sixth track, where the sax resembles the staggering goose your uncle used to shotgun, before arriving, with the final piece, at pure cacophony (after all, that was the only thing missing).

The career of Pan.Thy.Monium was as brief (they will disband in 1996, after only six years and three full-lengths) as it was essential. In fact, after the Celtic Frost and before bands like Arcturus and Ved Buens Ende released their masterpieces, Avantgarde metal remained healthy thanks to them and their overseas cousins Mr.Bungle. This first album, therefore, represents a record of historical importance and a must for all lovers of good music. More than recommended.