Dawnbringer - Night Of The Hammer

Review by Bob Moler

Album Review: Night Of The Hammer by Dawnbringer Released in 2014, Night Of The Hammer by Dawnbringer is a heavy metal masterpiece that straddles the line between raw aggression and melodic finesse. With its roots firmly planted in both Germany and the US, this album was brought to life under the watchful eyes of High Roller Records and Profound Lore Records. It’s not just another heavy metal record—it’s an experience crafted with precision by Chris Black (who wore multiple hats as songwriter, musician, and producer) and his talented crew, including Bill Palko, Matt Johnsen, Scott Hoffman, and others who contributed to its creation. The album kicks off with “Xiphias,” a track that sets the tone for what’s to come. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill opener; it grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. The riffs are razor-sharp, and Chris Black’s vocals have this gritty charm that feels like he’s telling you a story over a beer at some dive bar. What sticks out most about “Xiphias” is how seamlessly it blends classic heavy metal vibes with modern production techniques. You can tell Ryan Massey did a bang-up job recording and mixing because every instrument has room to breathe without losing any punch. It’s one of those songs where you find yourself air-guitaring even if you don’t play guitar. Another standout track is “Funeral Child.” If “Xiphias” is the adrenaline rush, then “Funeral Child” is the haunting echo that lingers long after the music stops. The song builds slowly, almost teasing you before unleashing waves of crushing riffs and soaring melodies. There’s something oddly cinematic about it—like it could soundtrack a scene from a dark fantasy movie where heroes face impossible odds. The interplay between Matt Johnsen’s guitar work and Chris Black’s lyrical delivery creates moments that feel larger than life yet deeply personal. And yeah, maybe I’m reading too much into it, but hey, good music does that to ya. One thing worth noting is the sheer amount of care put into the details. From Collin Jordan’s mastering to Caesar Cole’s photography, everything ties together cohesively. Even Scott Hoffman’s layout design adds a visual layer that complements the sonic journey. These elements might seem small, but they elevate the overall package, making it clear that no corners were cut here. While the album occasionally dips into familiar territory (like the repeated tracks “Crawling Off To Die” and “The Burning of Home”), these moments never feel redundant. Instead, they reinforce the themes and emotions woven throughout the record. Tracks like “Nobody There” and “Alien” showcase Dawnbringer’s versatility, blending pop/rock sensibilities with their signature heaviness. Sure, there are minor missteps—some transitions feel abrupt—but honestly, they add character rather than detracting from the experience. Reflecting on Night Of The Hammer, it strikes me as more than just an album—it’s a testament to passion and craftsmanship. In a world full of cookie-cutter releases, Dawnbringer dares to be bold, unapologetic, and human. It’s funny how an album so rooted in darkness can leave you feeling oddly hopeful. Maybe that’s the magic of heavy metal: it reminds us we’re all a little broken—and that’s okay. Rating: 8.5/10 P.S. Listening to this while stuck in traffic? Unexpectedly therapeutic.

Download Dawnbringer - Night Of The Hammer

Artist: Dawnbringer
Album: Night Of The Hammer

Heavy Metal

2014

Rating: 4.25

Review
About Album
Download
Tracks
Video
Images
Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
Companies
Credits
Notes
Barcodes
About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: dawnbringer-night-of-the-hammer.zip

MP3 size: 42 mb
FLAC size: 799.4 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Damn You	3:43
Hands Of Death
Alien	3:35
Not Your Night	2:7
The Burning of Home	4:14
Hands of Death	5:50
Nobody There	4:42
The Burning Of Home
Crawling Off to Die	2:24
Xiphias	4:39
One-Eyed Sister	4:12
The Burning of Home	04:14
Crawling Off To Die
Funeral Child	4:10

Video

DAWNBRINGER (USA) - Nobody There (2014)

Dawnbringer - One-Eyed Sister

Images

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Catalog Numbers

HRR 398
PFL 144

Labels

High Roller Records
Profound Lore Records

Listen online

lytte på nettet
online luisteren
ouvir online
kuunnella verkossa
online anhören
écouter en ligne
ascolta in linea
escuchar en línea
lyssna på nätet

Formats

Vinyl
LP
Album
Limited Edition
Grey
CD
Test Pressing
Promo

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	Profound Lore Records
Copyright (c)	Profound Lore Records
Recorded At	Sharkbite Studios
Mastered At	The Boiler Room

Credits

Role	Credit
Layout	Scott Hoffman
Mastered By	Collin Jordan
Musician	Bill Palko, Chris Black, Matt Johnsen, Scott Hoffman
Photography By	Caesar Cole
Recorded By	Ryan Massey
Mixed By	Ryan Massey
Written-By	Chris Black
Producer	Chris Black

Notes

Limited release of 300 on grey vinyl.
Includes printed insert.
limited to 500:
.200 x black vinyl (This)
.300 x grey vinyl
425gsm heavy cardboard cover, insert
Limited release of 8 on black vinyl.
Inner Sleeve with white Sticker: HRR398 MUSTER, Batch Nr. S397658-1-1-0, QTY: 8 PCS
White labels with just Side A/B on it
CD with Booklet.

Barcodes

Barcode: 4260255247070
Matrix / Runout: 09/30/2014 04:47:12 AM #133284
Matrix / Runout: 2628538 01
Mastering SID Code: IFPI LN08
Mould SID Code: IFPI HD05

About Dawnbringer

Dawnbringer was a heavy metal band formed in Malvern, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1995, although since 2000 the band has been run out of Chicago, IL. The band was primarily the creation of Chris Maycock who wrote the songs and performed most of the instrumentation under various aliases (John Weston, The Hammer, and most notably, Chris Black), along with help from guitarists Scott Hoffman, Matt Johnsen, and Bill Palko. In 2016, the band was put to rest.

Members

Chris Maycock
Dean Grey
Bill Palko
Scott Hoffman
Matt Johnsen

dawnbringer.bandcamp.com

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a cool fact: The album *Night Of The Hammer* by Dawnbringer is like a heavy metal love letter to creativity and collaboration. It was released in 2014 under two different labels—High Roller Records in Germany and Profound Lore Records in the US—which shows its international appeal. Chris Black, who wrote the songs and also produced the album, clearly had a vision, but it took a team of talented people to bring it to life. For example, Scott Hoffman handled the layout, Collin Jordan mastered the sound, and Ryan Massey recorded and mixed it all. With tracks like “Funeral Child” and “One-Eyed Sister,” the album blends raw energy with intricate storytelling. And get this—it even has duplicate track listings on the album, like “Hands of Death” and “The Burning of Home” showing up twice. Maybe it’s a nod to how some moments just hit hard enough to revisit. Pretty wild, right?