HIRAES

In the organizer's words:

HIRAES (feat. former members of DAWN OF DISEASE & CRITICAL MESS) ring in the new year with a true melodic death metal inferno!
The Osnabrück/Hanover melodic death metal formation HIRAES, consisting of former members of DAWN OF DISEASE and CRITICAL MESS, strikes back with their highly anticipated second studio album! Dormant rings in the new year with full force, and will be released on January 26, 2024 via Napalm Records.
Compared to their acclaimed 2021 debut Solitary, it's apparent from the first listen that HIRAES have not only grown and matured in their sound through their countless live performances, but also seem to have invested more time and creative energy into developing sophisticated songwriting and production to further develop their own distinctive trademarks. Utilizing keyboard and new sound elements, Dormant undoubtedly sounds fresh without sacrificing the nuances that made their first album such a success in the scene.
From brutal vocals, haunting melodies and aggressive guitars, HIRAES now play out their trademarks even more intensely on Dormant, convincing with versatile drums, catchy riffs and sweeping soundscapes to an impressive vocal performance by singer Britta. The epic intro of album opener "Through The Storm" quickly unleashes into a thunderous melodic death metal inferno, while the band deliver a fiercely versatile performance in furious tracks like "We Owe No One"! In terms of content, the new HIRAES record explores the struggle and resilience of society in the face of modern challenges, and aims to inspire listeners to find peace and strength by focusing on themselves - something that ultimately comes to the fore in the monumental title track "Dormant".
The album was mixed by Jens Bogren and Ricardo Borges and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. HIRAES' second studio album turns out to be a rousing, intense and dynamic melodic death metal album that is both brutal and gloomy as well as full of melodic grandeur and melancholy. For fans of Insomnium, Dark Tranquillity, Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth and At The Gates, Dormant is highly recommended!

Photo credit: Lisa Ulferts