Album Review: Dawn of Ouroboros – Bioluminescence (Prosthetic Records)

Offering up an atmospheric blend of black and death metal, Dawn of Ouroboros, the four-piece from Oakland, California, will release their new album ‘Bioluminescence’ on March 7th, 2025, via Prosthetic Records.

Dawn of Ouroboros are such a great band, having delivered some strong releases already, least of all 2023’s ‘Velvet Incandescence’, which we described as:

Supremely interesting with varied ideas and featuring no end to Dawn of Ouroboros’ creativity.

Guess what? They’re done it again, but you already know that. They are one of the brightest acts in metal right now, and with this new album, they step up their game in several huge, important ways.

How important is an opening track? I’d say quite important as it sets the stage for what will come. It needs to have impact, be memorable, but not necessarily be the high point of the release. How a band starts their album off can be telling, and with the title track, Dawn of Ouroboros say a hell of a lot. It is a multifaceted experience that showcases an array of ideas. Progressive, melodic, heavy with death and black influences, and so much more. It’s one of the most distinctive and dynamic sounding tracks heard this year so far.

It’s an undeniable high point, but one of many, as this is ‘front to back’ brilliance and the following Nebulae’s explosive blackened intensity proves that even more. The manic speed of this one, the fury in the vocals, the layers of atmosphere, the chaotic outro, and those incredible moments of creative flair, it’s special.

However, if we’re talking personal favourites, Slipping Burgundy is astounding. Spending the first few minutes creating smoky jazz-focused atmosphere that puts focus on the incredible clean singing. Then, cleverly and smoothly, transitioning into something heavier and darker. The contrast is amazing, and can simply be summed up as a work of art.

Most bands would fumble about this stage, having delivered three impossibly strong listens, but the power of this band only continues to grow with another stunning set of tracks, Poseidon’s Hymn and Dueling Sunsets. The former, with relentlessly heavy drums and guitars powering forward with progressive force. The latter, a brash display of focused savagery twisted by technical proficiency, clever melodic tones, and even some drama that adds even more expressiveness to what Dawn of Ouroboros are doing here. The soloing will put stupid grins on faces.

It’s hard to not do anything but shout about this release. Dawn of Ouroboros have a reached a level where just about everyone will marvel at what they’ve accomplished here. Which is even more impressive when you take in account that it does sit on the extreme side of metal.

It’s the layers though, it’s the creative twists and turns to familiar formulas, the peaks and the valleys that take us on such an explorative journey, and how everything sounds and feels so fresh. This is what makes this album so special and a beast like Static Repetition is all the proof anyone will still need. Savage, but with a strong infusion of atmosphere that gives it so much more feeling.

All good things must come to an end though, and it’s another massive high with Fragile Tranquillity. Where pulverising intensity meets dreamy melody and haunting ambience. Before Mournful Ambience wraps things up in heart wrenching style, living up to its title in immense fashion. The kind of sensitive finale that could only work on an album like this. It eases you out, and prepares you for another go-round, after all, there’s still so much more to unpack.

Special? You have no idea, and this ranks up there as one of the best albums of the year, regardless of genres.

Dawn of Ouroboros – Bioluminescence Track Listing:

1. Bioluminescence
2. Nebulae
3. Slipping Burgundy
4. Poseidon’s Hymn
5. Dueling Sunsets
6. Static Repetition
7. Fragile Tranquillity
8. Mournful Ambience

Dawn of Ouroboros Links

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