Dawnbringer - Night Of The Hammer

bobmoler

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
Rating: 4.25

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: dawnbringer-night-of-the-hammer.zip
  • MP3 size: 42 mb
  • FLAC size: 799.4 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Damn You3:43
Hands Of Death
Alien3:35
Not Your Night2:7
The Burning of Home4:14
Hands of Death5:50
Nobody There4:42
The Burning Of Home
Crawling Off to Die2:24
Xiphias4:39
One-Eyed Sister4:12
The Burning of Home04:14
Crawling Off To Die
Funeral Child4:10

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

RoleCompany
Phonographic Copyright (p)Profound Lore Records
Copyright (c)Profound Lore Records
Recorded AtSharkbite Studios
Mastered AtThe Boiler Room

Credits

RoleCredit
LayoutScott Hoffman
Mastered ByCollin Jordan
MusicianBill Palko, Chris Black, Matt Johnsen, Scott Hoffman
Photography ByCaesar Cole
Recorded ByRyan Massey
Mixed ByRyan Massey
Written-ByChris Black
ProducerChris 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

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?

Comments

charlottesmelt4
2025-03-14
Awee..!!
kccatamisan
2025-03-14
The band's 2014 album, Night of the Hammer, is a rehash of their previous two, with more In Flames-like melodies.
lucamar
2025-03-14
Denny Ducet brought me here
nageshparashar11
2025-03-13
The dragonborn comes!!!
superstars2014
2025-03-13
Enjoy the Simon and Garfunkel - Scarborough Fair homage.
garidr701
2025-03-12
limaseraos
2025-03-12
thank you for uploading this, I'm already learning this on guitar. So excited for this album.  Dawnbringer is the best!
dasmilan421
2025-03-12
i love that band, they play just right, id love to see them live, excellent musicians, they take u on a journey
soprattuttogiovani
2025-03-12
Don't forget pharoah