DREADMASK were formed in 2023, and they are from Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The melodic Death Metal outfit release their debut EP. “The Prime Dread” was mixed and mastered by Erwin Hermsen (COLLISION; DEAD HEAD; LEGION OF THE DAMNED) at Toneshead Recording Studio. It has a length of more than 32 minutes, and it is an independent release. The EP starts frantic at high pace with “Reign Of Fear”. The verse parts are fast with tight guitar riffing and catchy melodies. The bridge and the chorus parts are slower at mid-tempo and measured tempo, respectively. The melodies during the chorus parts are epic. The vocals are growls and vary around the medium end of the guttural range. There is clean vocal background support during the chorus parts. The break consists of a lead guitar solo, which is accompanied by a cinematic spoken-word part. Altogether, the track is a good opener, making an appetite for more. “Jester’s Grin” starts with an extended, tension-building instrumental intro, driven by the bass and the lead guitars. It introduces the main melody of the track. It is a track at a measured tempo with grim and partially melancholic melodies. The guitar riffing is thunderous. The growls are slightly deeper compared to the opening track. The lead guitar solo is very contributing and among the highlights of the track “Jester’s Grin” is a very strong song, and it has been released as video, with the YouTube link provided below. “The Light” starts with classical melodeath guitar riffing introducing the main melodies. The verse parts are played at mid-tempo, while the chorus parts are played at a measured tempo. The melodies are chilling throughout, and during the bridge and chorus there are a few doomy elements added such as a spoken-word part. The chorus parts are again epic with melancholy in the melodies.

“Reflections” leans towards mid-tempo during the verse parts, with punishing guitar riffs and bone-chilling melodies. The growls are again slightly deeper at times. After a guitar-driven short bridge, the chorus parts are slowed down and they come with powerful guitar contributions and slightly epic melodies, where the vocals are intensified by higher pitched background growls. The extended lead guitar solo is very contributing. “Ember” starts with a guitar-driven part, transitioning into the verse part at mid-tempo. The riffing is tight, thunderous, and slightly different compared to the other tracks. The chorus part introduces dark melodies and there are added background vocals. The track offers and extended break with heavy guitar riffs, the vocals, and finally a contributing lead guitar solo towards the end of the track. The final track is the longest track of the release with about eight minutes playing time. Consequently, “Resilient Shadows” starts with an extended instrumental part, where the guitars alongside some crushing basslines drive the track forward. It is a track at a measured tempo, where the verse part includes punishing riffs, deep-lying growls intensified by higher pitched background growls. The chorus parts are once again epic, slightly bombastic with melancholic melodies. The track is a bit sluggish altogether, but a very good way to finish the release.

The first release of DREADMASK is very solid. “The Prime Dread” is based on a well-tried melodic Death Metal approach embedded into a dark melodic framework. Many of the tracks use slow and epic chorus parts with grim and melancholic melodies. Highlights of the EP are the vocals, which keep all tracks very well together. The EP is well produced. DREADMASK deliver a promising debut release, and fans of melodic Death Metal, who love it dark and epic will like what they hear.