Dawn Of Solace – Affliction Vortex – CD Review

Side projects. Often a space for individuals to explore new compositional ideas or to display other forms of musical expression that they cannot do in their primary bands. Normally, I’m not all that interested though the opportunity to get my grubby mitts on “Affliction Vortex”, the latest offering for Dawn Of Solace was one I could not pass up.

What makes this different then? Well, considering it’s the side project for Tuomas Saukkonen, frontman for Finnish melodic death metal titans Wolfheart, a band I genuinely admire and had the privilege of previewing their latest work “Draconian Darkness” last autumn (it’s an absolute pearl of an album; check it out!). Additionally, this gives me an interesting frame of reference and some pre-conceptions as to what this will sound like. It’ll be interesting to see how the creative juices flow when no obstacles in the form of other band members and balancing their creative desires are removed.

From the get go, I can see that “Affliction Vortex” is a slower affair, prioritising a solid deeper groove and chest thumping basslines over the speed and sheer intensity of Wolfheart.

This is no problem whatsoever though, as this explores more of the doomy aspect of the genre. Check out ‘Mother Earth’  for evidence of this. Marvel at the blazing lead guitar riffs, simple yet devastatingly effective as they sore over a densely layered atmospheric backdrop. I’m getting Paradise Lost and Swallow The Sun vibes, which can only be a good thing, right? Muscular and taking no prisoners in it’s approach whilst dripping with a raw human emotion and overflowing in melancholic aura, this really is not one for the faint of heart nor those looking for a blissful escape from reality. No, this slaps you right in the face and makes you come to the terms with the cold hard facts of life.

Vocally, Tuomas seems to be exploring his cleaner vocals much more in this record and project as a whole. That’s fantastic though as I wasn’t aware of how aesthetically pleasing his cleaner voice was, though never compromising on that trademark force and power. Speaking of force and power, Tumous still unleashes those blistering growls throughout at carefully selected moments with this scarcity holding immense value.

Production wise? Give the sound engineers at DeepNoise Studios a much needed raise for this outstanding mix and product overall!

Score 9/10

TRACKLISTING

1. Inception
2. Murder
3. Fortress
4. Into The Light
5. Rival
6. Invitation
7. Dream
8. Perennial
9. Mother Earth
   Label – Noble Demon Records
   Release – 14th Feb 2025

   For all things Dawn Of Solace, click HERE and to purchase the album, click HERE