The Dawn of Understanding

...What? What the hell is this? Is this actually music? It's dark alright, but is it metal? Ok...so some of the album is musical, and metal at the same time. But, really, this isn't that great a release.

First off, the album is done by one member. Unfortunately, this is always a sign of a weak release. THe only man behind the act My Threnody, Jefferson Brito, was originally the drummer and vocalist for the act Silent Cry. He soon created this.

Why is this important? Can you honestly name one release that was done only by one man (or woman) that was simply amazing? Chances are you can't. So right from the start, this is just something that won't be all that interesting. But the music itself really isn't that great.

The opening track sets the mood of the band, that it will be somewhat dark and slow. However, the mood stays throughout the entire album, and can get really boring as time goes on. With over an hour of this type o music, one can only hope that atleast one song will be a little faster then what would be the occassional ballad on a power metal album.

But there is one interesting bit about the album. The parts that are the actual song itself are really impressive musically. Sure, many of them sound alike and really get tedious, but for this being a solo project by one man truly shows that atleast, musically, the work can be rather well done.

The Dawn Of Understanding is also lyrically sound. While it is also extremely hard to hear and make out some of the vocals on the album, if you can actually hear them, you would be impressed with what has been said. This, unfortunately, does not leave much else good to say towards the release.

Take the track "Thy Threnody" for example. Lyrically, the song is good. Some of the orchestral parts are good as well. But the rest is just terrible. Lasting over ten minutes long, the song begins to sound the same as the last few with very little to actually get into with the release. While other tracks before (excluding "Epilogue") are rather powerful orchestrally and lyrically and nothing else, you will just want to skip to the next track a few minutes in.

But, of the songs are slow and sounding the same, a fast one is pulled out from nowhere. The track "The Orchid" (the shortest actual song) pulls out some traditional black metal elements into the mix and picks up the pace a bit. With this song, everything suits perfectly. Too bad it doesn't last this way for long. About half way through it slows down, and the slow songs start up again. Then "The Sorrow In Your Eyes" builds up the hope of a fast sounding ending, but dashes them as the song concludes.

So, if you are looking for something different and interesting to listen to, turn away. While it is impressive knowing that one man did all the orchestral arrangements in the album, The Dawn Of Understanding just really lacks a lot that would hold your attention...unless you are into the really slow, dark, orchestral albums that last over an hour and each song sounds just about the same as the last one in one way, shape, or form.