Dawn of Possesion (1991) - Immolation

Dawn of Possession by Immolation is the debut album by the American death metal band, released in 1991. Known for its intense brutality and technical proficiency, Dawn of Possession marked Immolation as one of the pioneering bands in the death metal scene. The album blends traditional death metal elements with dissonant, atonal riffs and intricate song structures, helping to shape the sound of the genre in the years to come. It also laid the groundwork for the band's signature style, combining darkness and complexity with relentless intensity.

Tracklist:

1. No Forgiveness (Without Bloodshed)
2. Desire for Suffering
3. Dawn of Possession
4. Subordinate to the Domination
5. Internal Decadence
6. Those Left Behind
7. Despondent Souls
8. The Rites of Disease
9. Burial Ground
10. Fall from a Great Height

Dawn of Possession opens with No Forgiveness (Without Bloodshed), a brutal and chaotic track that sets the tone for the album. The song features fast tempos, intricate guitar work, and a ferocious vocal delivery by Ross Dolan, immediately establishing the band's technical and aggressive style. Desire for Suffering follows with dissonant guitar lines and a dark, brooding atmosphere, showcasing Immolation's ability to create an oppressive mood while maintaining tight, riff-driven death metal.

The title track, Dawn of Possession, is one of the album's standout moments, weaving complex riffs with powerful drumming to build a crushingly heavy and relentless sound. Subordinate to the Domination continues the album's aggressive assault with its punishing riffs and relentless blast beats, while Internal Decadence highlights the band's dissonant, atonal style that would become a hallmark of their sound.

Into Everlasting Fire and Immolation are two pivotal tracks that exemplify the band's ability to balance darkness and melody. Both tracks utilize intricate song structures and guttural vocals to build a haunting atmosphere that permeates the entire album.

Lyrically, Dawn of Possession explores themes of suffering, death, and existential despair. The album’s dark atmosphere is reinforced by the guttural vocals and eerie, dissonant guitar work, which are used to evoke a sense of hopelessness and dread throughout.

Dawn of Possession is a brutal and atmospheric record that continues to resonate due to its technicality and aggression. My favorite tracks include Dawn of Possession, No Forgiveness (Without Bloodshed), The Rites of Disease, Into Everlasting Fire, and Immolation. Dawn of Possession stands out for its crushing atmosphere and intricate songwriting, while No Forgiveness (Without Bloodshed) sets the pace for the album with its relentless intensity. The Rites of Disease is a standout for its melodic and dissonant elements, showing the band’s ability to balance brutality with atmosphere, and Into Everlasting Fire and Immolation round out the list with their eerie, memorable structures and dark energy.

Overall, Dawn of Possession is a cornerstone of early death metal, influencing the genre’s progression with its technical complexity and unrelenting aggression. Its dark atmosphere, intricate compositions, and intense brutality make it a must-listen for death metal fans.