I have listened to this album like a maniac, not because I love it, but to find the greatness of it. I have heard Mikko Heikkilä in Metallijate, Tuomas Saukkonen in Wolfheart among others. And this is nothing like it, Dawn of Solace is new for me and very (soft). The guitar sound is perfect, has a death doom metal sound, and that is good. But the album gives me Sin/Pecado (Moonspell) hints. Pure pretty mainstream= easy listening radio music.

I dive in to the album. "Inception" is a short intro track, follow up by "Murder". Mikko Heikkilä is a great vocalist, yes vocalist, not singer. And you hear it on "Murder". Next track, "Fortress" stands out a bit, the growl by Tuomas Saukkonen does really help the track. Goth Metal is a hard genre, cause you never know what you get. It can be in the style of Crematory, Deathstars, Theatre of Tragedy, Autumn and the list goes on. So many styles. If Dawn Of Solace did not use the heavy distortion on the guitars, they would be gothic rock. Halfway in the album, and the track "Rival" I'm starting to think of other things, and I have to go back and focus. Mikko Heikkilä's voice is "dead" in a way, no wild things going on here. It all has become monotone. A bit uncommitted. But I'm really not a fan of this kind, of gothic metal, the music is probably awesome, if the right person hears it. Just like all other music. "Invitation" and "Dream" passes by.

They are nice songs, but don't tell me anything. "Perennial" is the track that stands out, finally some death doom, Mikko's clean voice is a reason to that, he actually shows a bit of his range, Tuomas growl is not hidden in the background, it takes a lead, the track is superb. Next and final track to surprise is "Mother Earth", like "Perennial," it tells a story, those two tracks really doesn't fit in to the album, they are more angry, more of everything. They are alive, deliver emotions. Not just sad. The whole album has been a pretty boring journey for me, the two last songs are the best. I did expect more death doom, a bit of a challenge, maybe a guest singer on a track, guest drummer...whatever. Something, to add more to this album... I know that people out there will be pretty pissed off, on me, but i most be honest, and after struggle for such a long time with this album, I did really try.