DREAMS OF GRAY is an Extreme Metal band from Chicago that combines Doom Metal with Thrash Metal. They were formed in 2022, and until now only have one release under their belt, which is “The World After”, an EP from 2023. Another two years have passed and the band have managed to write, rehearse and record another three songs, which together make up another EP, “A Beginning”, which clocks at 13:40 minutes. And if you are looking for a band to compare this with, then TYPE O NEGATIVE and A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH would be some good references. Not that they are the same kind of band, but they use the same kind of sound and intensity in the slower parts.

What amazes me is that a band that can churn out songs like “Beyond The Sky” isn’t being considered for a record deal. That song is pure Heavy Metal influenced Thrash Metal and harbours all the elements that make it stand out in exactly the right way. The same goes for the opening song “A Beginning” which easily matches anything the two bands I mentioned before have made. This is one hell of a song that is together compassionate and emotional, whilst maintaining a level od anxiety that draws you in with ease. Even when the tempo is raised and intensity heightened, you can’t fault what DREAMS OF GRAY does. The last song on this EP, “Across The Endless Sea” starts off more like the title song, and has that kind of quality where when it changes to something faster you don’t think Thrash Metal, but you do think Black Metal. And as soon as you’ve assessed that, the temp drops again to almost Doom like proportions. This changing of tempo is something that keeps on going throughout the song, making it the most interesting one to listen to.

All put together I can only conclude that DREAMS OF GRAY have delivered one cracking, beautiful and impressive EP with “A Beginning”. And I certainly hope that the title is a prophecy, that this is just the start of a journey of discovery that we, the audience, will be allowed to take with DREAMS OF GRAY. Because as far as I’m concerned, I like “A Beginning” so much that I am booking a flight with these guys of Chicago to wherever they want to go, as long as they keep up making beautiful music. If they can achieve this level on a full length album, you can rest assured that my rating will go up at least one full point.