The Unknowing

For the past twelve years, underground British progressive champions DAWNWALKER have built up an impressive and explorative discography see-sawing between the fringes of metal and rock, with no two records helming a similar approach. Remaining triumphantly independent, the brainchild of Mark Norgate has blossomed from their origins as a collaborative studio project into a revered live entity. Once again, Dawnwalker re-invent themselves with a new cast of talented musicians for their sixth observation - THE UNKNOWING - a concept album meditating on grand themes concerning our shared search for belonging, and our desire to know our place in this vast, hostile and unknowable universe.

Conceived across three recording studios and featuring exciting new players, Dawnwalker's sixth album The Unknowing finds a sharply tuned focus on songwriting, harmony and sonic finesse. Joining mastermind and guiding light Mark Norgate are seasoned talents including Luke Fabian (ex-Pupil Slicer) on bass, Chris J. Allan (ex-Malefice) on drums, flautist Bella Band, and vocalist Sofia Sourianou (Deathbloom, Lure In) bolstering Norgate's lead voice with wonderful counter harmonies. Recorded largely by Stanley Gravett at Holy Mountain Studios (which has helmed records by Idles, Jane Weaver, Spiritualized, Green Lung and many more), additional sessions also took place with Joe Clayton (Pijn, Leeched) at Manchester's No Studio (Mastiff, Mountain Caller, Ithaca) and with Scott McLean (Ashenspire, HealthyLiving) at Neon Fable Studios in Edinburgh - all captured with organic approaches, minimal edits, and a vintage analogue sound in the spirit of prog's original heroes, favouring naturalistic performances without click-tracks. Through shaking up their methodology more than ever, these risks have rewarded Dawnwalker with one of their most consistent and cohesive offerings to date.

With no ten minute epics and no ambient interludes, The Unknowing is a concise single LP disc experience built from nine individually memorable tracks, with only one breaking the five minute mark. In Mark Norgate's own words, The Unknowing is "a conscious move away from post-metal towards something spacier and more progressive; and probably more pop too." Hitting the nail on the head, these songs are proggy without being indulgent, challenging without being overly complex, catchy and melodious with enough weird and off-kilter moments. A progressive rock sound, but with a bubbling metallic DNA intact. A boiling pot of great contradictions and contrasting flavours falling sweetly into place. Norgate prepared for the writing of the album researching and meeting with mystics, Tarot readers and astrologers, driven by a divine desire to trace humanity's evergoing ways of understanding the hands of time, the cosmos, and where we fit into that space.

Each of these nine tracks expresses a yearning and an ever present search, which is reflected sonically with a brighter sound palette than on any previous records. The album begins with Sofia Sourianou's siren-like voice luring in the listener as glistening piano and soft spattering drums set the scene on opener 'Thema Mundi'. Lead single 'Capricorn' acts as a mantra for the entire record with its chorus, "Called forth on that lonely road, / March on further into the unknown" as a dramatic organ stutters alongside swirling, crunchy guitars. 'Mirrorpool' is a dynamic and eerie centrepiece showcasing two complimenting voices weaving around each other. 'Sword Of Spirit' and 'Cancer (Rising)' are amongst Dawnwalker's most jaunty and energetic tracks, whilst the irresistible 'Fall To Earth' is a straight up headbanging air guitar rager. The Unknowing is yet another spectacular and engrossing entry into the lore of Dawnwalker, presenting them at their most spacious and detailed. Dawnwalker sound full of adventure and whimsy, neatly capturing a pastoral playfulness, whilst keeping their occult and folklore influenced spirit intact.