Review: Fragments Of Unbecoming – Dawnbringer
Fragments Of Unbecoming took their time to create “Dawnbringer”, yet continue to lcapture the essence of Death Metal’s90s heyday with a modern polish and a sense of purpose that’s impossible to ignore. From the opening riffs of the title track, it’s clear that the veterans haven’t lost their touch. Songs like “To Everyone And None” and “Thou Shalt Eternally Wander” are immediate standouts, their blend of soaring melodies, crushing riffs, and infectious hooks recalling the golden age of In Flames and Amon Amarth while still feeling fresh and vital. The band’s ability to weave together aggression and atmosphere is what makes “Dawnbringer” so compelling, with moments of epic grandeur sitting comfortably alongside raw, blackened fury.
The album’s production, handled by Kristian “Kohle” Kohlmannslehner, is powerful and perfectly balanced, allowing every guitar harmony, every blast beat, and every guttural scream to cut through with devastating clarity
The album’s pacing is deliberate, giving each song room to breathe and develop, but this also means that some of the mid-tempo sections, like “Among The Shades,” can feel a bit drawn out, especially when compared to the album’s more dynamic moments. The inclusion of re-recorded versions of “The Art Of Coming Apart” and the band’s self-titled debut is a thoughtful nod to their legacy. They are a reminder of how far the band has come and highlight how much their sound has evolved – and how some of their older material, while still powerful, feels slightly out of place in the context of “Dawnbringer’s” more refined and ambitious approach.
The lyrical themes on “Dawnbringer” lean into the kind of dark, introspective storytelling that has always been a hallmark of Fragments Of Unbecoming’s work. The album’s title itself suggests a sense of renewal or rebirth, and this theme is echoed in the music, which often feels like a journey through shadows and light. The interplay between the guitars and vocals is particularly strong, with the dual guitar harmonies and the varied vocal delivery adding layers of depth to the album’s emotional impact. The rhythm section shifts seamlessly between punishing blast beats and more measured, groove-oriented passages, giving the album a dynamic feel that keeps the listener engaged.
Yet, for all its strengths, “Dawnbringer” occasionally struggles to escape the shadow of its own ambition; the mid-tempo “Among The Shades” or the sprawling “The Amber Emperor” lose momentum in favor of overly familiar structures. While the re-recorded bonus tracks are a nice nod to longtime fans, they don’t quite reach the same heights as the new material, leaving you wishing the band had focused more on pushing forward than looking back.
That said, when “Dawnbringer” hits its stride, as it does in the relentless “Caught In The Endlessness” or the haunting closer “Devoured By Cold,” it’s a reminder of why Fragments Of Unbecoming have endured for over two decades. This is melodic death metal as it should be: passionate, precise, and unapologetically heavy, even if it doesn’t always break new ground.
