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This is a criminal offence right here! A great band with an outstanding discography has now parted ways only to remain largely unheard of. Shame! Well, I'll do my part to tell those unaware about these Germans and why they were one of the best damn power metal acts of the present time.

Remember what we expected from greats like Savatage, Virgin Steele, Rage and Jag Panzer back in the day? Well Dark At Dawn are (were) about delivering something along those very lines. Even after power metal got redefined and polluted with sappy, happy and barely-metal bands all over the place, these Germans soldiered on as if the epic "Edge Of Thorns" was just released yesterday. I dare you to give this album a listen and not retain at least 8 of the 11 songs right after first listen. And they just keep getting better and better with every time forward.

Right from the very first track, this self titled farewell screams big, crunchy and dark power metal with the best of melodies conceivable and a voice that's gruffer than what you would hear on Omen or Ironsword. Yeah… imagine that! Or better yet, give it a go. Songs like "The Alliance", "Fearless" or "Crossbreed" will tell you why this is called power fucking metal in the first place. None of that fairy shit. But even in the mellower moments – as on the ballad "Avalon" – the razor sharp guitar tone is still prevalent along with the vocals… those vocals that can do no wrong!

I really cannot praise this band enough. If Kamelot are the reigning body of good power metal today (which they probably are), then that is because this band right here has not gotten enough press. It's a great loss that a band like this has parted ways but here's hopin' that a dozen other Dark At Dawn's fill that void that we have been left with.