Last year, we already had Saukkonen visiting us with Wolfheart, but this year, Dawn of Solace is back with Affliction Vortex, promising a tempest of sadness and melancholy with the signature Finnish sound. I don’t know how this man stays so productive, but we’ve learned that the more pressure and projects he has going on, the better the product. Also, since Dawn of Solace’s duo returned, they’ve probably been the most consistent of all his projects. Hence, I do have some discrete expectations. Don’t blame me—this is my guilty pleasure!
Affliction Vortex shows that all of Saukkonen’s projects are getting more and more difficult to tell apart, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. The album is heavier than its predecessors, yet it maintains the softer and more moving side that made Dawn of Solace stand out. I appreciate it going heavier and harsher—it gives contrast to the more vulnerable moments. If you love this school of thought, you’re in for a treat. There’s still a snowstorm raging in the hearts of this duo, and now it’s been portrayed in one of its most balanced ways. Between the rage and sorrow, there’s serenity, and that’s where Affliction Vortex operates.
There aren’t any big surprises; the tracks stick to what has made the band great without ever getting bloated. The power of “Rival” or the depth of “Invitation” are just proof of how Dawn of Solace has mastered its craft to a point that’s almost robotic. The production is as good as before, and it perfectly fits what the album is going for. Though you could argue it’s the same setup as previous albums, to which I say: good production is like a complicated computer script—once it works, you don’t ever, I mean ever, touch it again!
The album does lose a bit of steam as it moves forward, and I really expected a more epic sendoff than the one given by “Mother Earth”. Maybe I’m just spoiled by previous Saukkonen work, but I’ve grown used to the last tracks being the best ones. Anyway, my only other issue is how safe this thing is. Sure, there are some new details, especially in the heaviness department, but without Heikkilä’s voice, I wouldn’t be able to tell this apart from Before the Dawn or Wolfheart. “But Catto, that’s what I want! The same pain over and over! Until my eyes blow up from so much crying!” Fine, but I want more variety—that’s it!
So, this is a consistent effort from probably the most consistent minds in Melodic Death Metal. It’s exactly what you’d expect from Dawn of Solace if you’ve been a fan for long enough—or at least since its return to form. Now, we just need to get Black Sun Aeon back to restore the Finnish Melodic Death Metal drama to all its glory! Because it doesn’t matter if all these bands or albums sound the same to the untrained ear—there’s always a place in my black heart for more of this kind of sorrow.
Label: Noble Demon
Release date: February 14, 2025
Website: https://dawnofsolace.bandcamp.com/album/affliction-vortex
Country: Finnish
Score: A solid 3.5/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 