From Prosthetic Record's website, "Blackened Progressive Metal quintet DAWN OF OUROBOROS have today shared their new single, "Velvet Moon," and an accompanying music video. "Velvet Moon" is the second track to be taken from the Oakland, CA based band's forthcoming sophomore album, "Velvet Incandescence," due out via Prosthetic Records on April 21. The album has eight songs.

"Healing Grounds" is the first. Charming and mellow tones open the song, with clean vocals and guitars. Harsh vocals cut in, but the melody line remains. From there, it's a mortal fight between the two competing elements. "Testudines" begins with more traditional Black Metal elements, but again, somber melodies remain bright. The harmonies in the chorus are very nice. "Iron Whispers" begins with prettier tones from clean guitars that create a jovial groove, but dissonant distorted guitars and hash vocals cut through them with a purpose. So far, the album seems a bit more concise than previous works, fueled by the ongoing wrestling match between darkness and light.

"Levitating Pacifics" is the long song on the album. It opens cautiously, with clean tones, and some tension in the air. I am going to let his melody line run, because it is calming and soothing. Even the harsh vocals are soothing, in an odd sense, in that both styles push a sense of dread that is poetic. "Rise from Disillusion" has a hastier entrance, and the background is filled with delicate little melodies. They really help to temper the aggressive sound. So far, the balance on the album is striking. The clean vocals are yearning, and you can feel pain in them. "Castigation" is a shorter song the message, "float with me, to better days." Castigation means "to subject to severe punishment, reproof, or criticism." The song has a strong harmony between ardent, aggressive tones, and alluring, pretty ones, and this might be the band's biggest strength.

"Cephalopodic Void" begins with eerie spoken words, and from there, a desolate harsh passage moves in and takes residence. Clean vocals cut it but cannot cut through the darkness of the song. The closing tones speak more about that void, which seems cavernous. "Velvet Moon" closes the album. Somber tones carry the sound here, almost as if the tale has run its course and what makes you sadder is not the outcome, but the fact that it is over. Rhythm guitars build this sense of belonging, while the vocals create that sense of impending loss. Emotional elements are very strong in this song, perhaps the strongest of all songs on the album.

When I consider their previous album, I believe they have found their songwriting stride on "Velvet Incandescence." They have perfected the compelling balance between beauty and death the entire way through the journey, such that with repeated listens, you are still left with no answers in a sense. The instrumental work is impeccable, and the vocals are engaging in both styles. It creates a feeling of wonder, curiosity, and makes you ponder your place in the universe. This is definitely a contender for album of the year.