Summoning
« Old Mornings Dawn »
Napalm Records
2013
There are some bands who continue to please their loyal fans with consistent albums, never giving in to commercial pressures or preaching a « more mature » direction. Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, Belphegor and many others are just such examples. Refusing to change the status quo and continuously developing a sound and style that put them in the spotlight to begin with are what makes these artists great! Austria’s, J.R.R. Tolkien inspired, Summoning are just such a band as well!
Some may argue that after a seven year absence, the duo of Protector and Silenius COULD have returned with an album that changes their spots. Sure, they haven’t reinvented the « Summoning wheel », but what « Old Mornings Dawn » does do is build upon a formula that works. Since their inception in 1993, Summoning have left listeners breathless!
Intro, « Evernight », propels the album forward with a take on Carmina Burana‘s majestic sound and dramatic flare, while « Flammifer » continues this theme alongside raw guitars and raspy vocals. What sets Summoning apart from the herd, is their unique blend of melodic Black Metal and medieval, ballad-like instrumentation. Each song is an epic, slow marching build up of simple melodic layers against a backdrop of steady guitars and tribal, militaristic drums.
Since there are merely two members, drum machines and programming help to convey a sense of majesty as samples of tambourine, flutes and trumpets cascade over songs like a slow moving tsunami. Title track « Old Mornings Dawn » exemplifies this as simple note by note instrumentation explodes into epic grandeur, characterized by strong, majestic choirs and ends with a spectacular wall of noise.
Since their « Upon the Viking Stallion » demo (1993), Summoning have taken the template of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth and created the soundtrack for his lush landscapes, chaotic battles and unique peoples. Here, the same holds true. « The Wandering Fire » uses beautiful sampled flutes and trumpets to lasting effect in conveying the lush expansiveness of Tolkien landscapes along with poetic lyrics. « Earthshine » lyrically depicts a mother’s saddened farewell to her son as he leaves for battle, always searching for his passing « light » to guide her way following his death.
Sure, after album « Oath Bound » in 2006, Summoning had taken a hiatus only to return even stronger as songs stand on their own in regal beauty. Drenched in Tolkien lore and majestic in its instrumentation, « Old Mornings Dawn » will no doubt inspire many to pick up « The Silmarillion » or « The Lord of the Rings » maybe for a second or third time to let their imaginations carry them away!
Standout Tracks: « Old Mornings Dawn », « Caradhras », « The Wandering Fire »
9/10
