Band: Dawn of Ashes 

Album: The Crypt Injection 

Album Year: 2007 

Label: NoiTekk, COP International, Gravitator

Genre: Terror EBM

Website: www.dawnofashes.com

               The sophomore release of Los Angels’ Dawn of Ashes, The Crypt Injection, is a stunning collection of hard as hell dance floor tracks and morbid interludes. The trio led by front man Khris, are the essence of horror electro. Being inspired by the darker side they have tapped a wealth of horror films and have broth forth their angst in this stunningly dark CD. Bloody visions and torture aside their production has improved dramatically and the overall quality of these tracks is well mastered and clear.

               From the first track, A Blade in the Dark with its terrifying samples and dark overtones you are plunged into a world of madness. You will notice that Khris’ vocals on this CD are far more well produced and stronger than Dawn of Ashes’ previous work. He has mastered the art of vocal distortion, you can understand his  lyrics and hear him clearly. This is one reason The Crypt Injection stands apart from its muddy counterparts in the genre of terror ebm. A Blade in the Dark also has a surprise in store for the listener, it breaks down into an incredibly melodic synth bridge and then slams you back to the dance floor. I was not expecting that on my first listen. 

               Several other notable tracks that follow are the brutal and hard Torture Device and Portrait of a Homicide coupled with the epic Still Born Defect and the downright pop Where Angels Die. Where Angels Die has one of the catchiest choruses on the CD and has the potential to be a dance floor anthem in clubs everywhere. The synths are all superb, the beats and vocals dead on. This CD leaves nothing to be desired for an enthusiast of hard ebm. It’s got all of the right components.

               Unfortunately this means if you are expecting something revolutionary and groundbreaking you will not find it on this CD. But this was not its purpose in the first place. Bottom line, if you love Terror EBM and hard dance floor material buy this CD. It was worth my money and will be worth yours too. Khris himself has taken a stand against internet pirating and I agree, don’t support bootleg industrial. It really does hurt the artist.

               There are three remixes on this CD. They are all of Portrait of a Homicide but each has its own take on the track. Grendel provides a mix complete with standard Grendel leads, vocal cutting, and an upbeat tempo. Nurzery Rhymes does the track over aggressively and a bit generically. Aesthetic Perfection’s mix is a slow buildup  epic dance floor version that really does Dawn of Ashes justice.

               On a final note, also included with the CD is a music video to Torture Device. If you don’t understand what this band is about or the horror influence behind their music,  just watch the video. Blood, gore, and the finest new terror. It explains everything.

By Elijah S. Arms, The Director