"Cycle of the Dying Sun (Dawn of Ashen Realms)" marks a new era for the RUNEMAGICK entity. Entirely composed and performed by Nicklas Rudolfsson, vocals, guitars, bass, synthesizers, and drums, the album channels the stripped down, immersive, and slow-burning spirit of earlier years while also introducing new sonic shades and meditative depth. A few carefully chosen guests were invited to contribute additional dimensions, further expanding the album's ceremonial atmosphere. Six core compositions form the foundation across all formats. The CD and digital editions go even deeper, offering four extended tracks that enrich the journey with further layers of decay, resonance, and otherworldly drift.

"Wyrd Unwoven" is the first cut, and the entering riff is slow, low, and heavy. The vocals match with guttural utterances. It lumbers forward like a wooly mammoth crossing the plains of the deep north, and some tinges of psychedelica come in towards the end. "Old Bones" is a little shorter, and I like the guitar effects in the opening. Although it's also slow paced, the key of the guitar work keeps it energetic. "The Hollow Chant of the Seer" is another slow grind. The riffing is weighted, but simple, and the vocals match the energy with a filthiness that's akin to what grows underground in the swamp. Through three songs so far however, the album hasn't done much to distance itself from many others out there vying for a bite.

"The Runestone's Lament" brings even more weight to the table, with a series of low guitar notes that are crushing in their delivery. If there was any light on the album, this crawler blots it out completely. Doom Metal can be exciting, but so far, this album has struggled to get off the ground. "Womb of the Veiled Sun" turns things around a bit with a grueling sound in both the riffs and the vocals, and some background sounds are added to round it out. But from there, it's more of the same. The short "Ashen Realms" closes the album, and I find myself wishing there was more of this sound on the album. It's gentler while remaining dark at the same time, and the clean tones in the guitars are very somber.

Overall, this wasn't a bad album by any stretch, it just didn't challenge me much as a listener. Many of the songs had a similar sound and the slow pace didn't combine well with the somewhat bland riffs.