"Dread The Dawn" is the second full-length album from the New Jersey doom metal outfit, CASSIUS KING. Dan Lorenzo (ex-HADES, NON FICTION, PATRIARCHS IN BLACK) supplies the guitar riffs, the album's vocals are provided by Jason McMaster (ex-WATCHTOWER, DANGEROUS TOYS), and drums are played by Ron Lipnicki (ex-OVERKILL, WHIPLASH). Their press release refers to this album as "a feeling set to music, which can't really be done justice with the generic terms doom and stoner." Imagine the sounds of "Cowboys From Hell, and "The Great Southern Trendkill" by PANTERA, filtered through the lens of modern-day CANDLEMASS, and you will see exactly where CASSIUS KING is coming from on "Dread The Dawn."

The first track up for examination is "As I Begin To Turn." This song owes a lot to the groove metal subgenre. Lipnicki's drumming is excellent, and Lorenzo's riffs are also a high point. At times, "As I Begin To Turn" sounds like a faster BLACK SABBATH. After all, all doom metal acts owe that band a huge debt.

"Genesis" starts out slower than "As I Begin To Burn," and suddenly, the novel and welcome sounds of flutist Fred Mitchim come into play. Apparently, the soothing sounds of the flute go great with doom metal, at least when played by Mitchim. Once again, the riffs are catchy and on point. The slower pace of this track sounds less dynamic than the previous tracks, but that is only a minor issue.

"Dread The Dawn" is just over eight minutes long, with little development. Once again, this track has elements of both PANTERA and CANDLEMASS. This track sounds like "Cemetery Gates," with more guitar presence and with the trappings of "Splendor Demon Majesty." It has all of the makings of a great track, just without any sonic development.

"How The West Was Won" is a welcome respite from the sheer monotony of the title track. This one is much faster, with some awesome riffs by Lorenzo. There's a southern metal quality to this track that makes it stand out. McMaster's vocals sound almost like he is channeling the late, great "Ronnie James Dio. Throw in a stellar Scott LePage guitar solo, and you have one of the album's best tracks by far.

"Doomsday Hand" starts slow and rhythmic, then Jimmy Schulman's bass comes in loud and clear. It is always great when a metal bassist features prominently on a track. The riff work is simple but effective, still giving off major CANDLEMASS vibes. The chanted chorus is innovative, but the song takes a turn towards southern rock near the end, with a guitar tone reminiscent of LYNYRD SKYNYRD. The guitar twang right before the song's end brings this one down a notch or two.

The final track, "Bad Man Down," is also a bit too twang-infused. McMaster's vocals take on a slight drawl that makes this track stick out like the proverbial "sore thumb." There's a nice guitar solo and some excellent riffs contained within, but the rowdy country music theme is more than a little off-putting and, frankly, spoils the song.

That being said, if you like CANDLEMASS, but wish they had a faster pace and more bite, then "Dread The Dawn" should be all but mandatory listening. There are a couple of missteps, but overall, the album is solid and worth your time if you are a fan of doom metal's lighter fare. Yes, it is derivative, but it's also easy on the ears, and with "Dread The Dawn," CASSIUS KING has a fun album on their hands.