This album is a goliath in black metal that shows off Nechochwen’s fine craftsmanship in songwriting while brimming with raw passion, energy, and soul. From its treasure trove of instantly memorable yet blistering melodic black riffs, to its careful attention to dynamics, space, and feeling, to its somber beauty and subtle complexity, this album seems to get everything right. Easily my favorite album of 2022 and one of my favorite black metal albums period.

The songwriting feels self-assured and bursting with creativity, Dawn feels like a living, breathing thing. Full of colorful melodic passages that build organically into beautiful culminations, with occasional outbursts of heaviness, although Second Day tend to use brutality to emphasize certain moods rather than as a driving force or a mindless fallback. Overall, Second Day prioritize songwriting over chops, aggression, or novelty factor. Great album!

It's chaotic, melodic, technical, brutal, and packed to the brim with tasty riffs, unexpected shifts, and beautiful spacious moments.