After a decade of silence, BEFORE THE DAWN shattered expectations with their comeback album, “Stormbringers,” and the reconquering of Europe’s stages in 2023. Now, the Finnish metal juggernauts triumphantly return to the forefront of the metal scene with their brand-new EP, Archaic Flame. Scheduled for release on March 8, 2024 via Napalm Records, the new offering unveils a fiery blend of sonic intensity and melodic prowess never before heard from BEFORE THE DAWN. The EP contains four songs.

“Archaic Flame” is first. It breaks the gate on the way out, with a thick and heavy chugging in the guitars and drums, before changing keys with some melody in the air. The vocals are deep and guttural, until the chorus, where clean harmonies wash out the filth. I don’t remember this much melody in their music before, but the ardent structures are still there, dominating like a giant lumbering the earth. “Chaos Sequence” has some nifty keyboard fills amidst the frenzy of open note rhythms. The chorus is a masterful exercise in both melody and aggressiveness, and it’s the balance among the two that make it such a memorable song.

“Run to You” is, of course, a Metal cover of the infamous Bryan Adams song. You are probably asking yourself what these two bands have in common, and my answer would be melody of course. BEFORE THE DAWN’s version is just as catchy, but also much beefier, and it just works. The closing song is a live song, titled “Dying Sun,” and it proved that this isn’t just a studio band, and they have command of the power and melody in a live setting. The song is a real burner in terms of it pacing, but it refuses to be outdone by the low end bulkiness of their sound.

Sometimes as a reviewer, I can expect a certain sound from a veteran band and songwriter. In this case, I was pleasantly surprised. The album delivers a powerful punch with its beefy and bulky sound, showcasing the band's raw energy and intensity. However, the big surprise comes in the form of its melodies, which add a layer of depth and complexity to the music. Now, I am very much looking forward to another full-length from the band.