Unexpected and exciting, Finland’s Dark Metal project Before the Dawn reformed in 2021 after nearly a decade of inactivity. An endeavor begun by the multi-talented Tuomas Saukkonen (who has showcased his talents with the likes of Black Sun Aeon, Dawn of Solace, and Wolfheart), Before the Dawn is arguably the vision that began it all for him. The leading creative force behind it all, Before the Dawn first garnered attention in 2003 with the release of the album My Darkness, before 2004’s 4:17 a.m.
A project that has seen numerous contributors come and go, Before the Dawn once included former Entwined Vocalist Panu Willman early on, and there was also a period when Norway’s Lars Eikind (also known from the Prog Metal project Winds) was the leading voice. Now in its most recent resurrection, Before the Dawn finds Tuomas Saukkonen joined by Guitarist Juho Räihä (who currently also works with Swallow the Sun), Bassist Pyry Hanski (who has worked with …and oceans for a while), while adding the freshness of young Vocalist Paavo Laapotti to the mix.
With Laapotti offering Before the Dawn a new beginning when they came back together, many were curious what his voice would mean for their music. A bit of an unknown, soon his participation on the 2023 comeback album Stormbringers quelled any skepticism among fans that he was not the proper selection. Adding something to the mix, Stormbringers was a balanced album that showed that Before the Dawn still retained their darker melodic side from earlier records, but with a bit more aggression. Something that would please many, now in 2025, the second full-length album with Laapotti arrives in the form of Cold Flare Eternal.
Released on September 5, 2025, through Reaper Entertainment, Tuomas Saukkonen is once again at the head of the songwriting, while the album was recorded at Juho Räihä’s SoundSpiral Studios, where the guitarist took on the production. Joined by accomplished Dutchman Jacob Hansen, who handled mixing and mastering, many were eager to see what was in store. Coming together with a highly dynamic sound, the album includes ten songs lasting just 40 minutes, where the aggression and more melancholy tones of the guitars and vocals fit perfectly into what you envision for Before the Dawn.
Extremely pleasing to hear, the album has numerous standout tracks, including pre-released singles “Fatal Design” and the stunningly emotional “As Above, So Below.” Again, balancing the harsher vocals with darkly haunting clean vocals, Paavo Laapotti impressively handles them all with ease. Unique to prior Before the Dawn iterations, in which the harsher vocals were primarily handled by Tuomas Saukkonen, a full second album into the game with this lineup suggests excellent chemistry.
With all of this in mind, tracks like “Mercury Blood” and “Stronghold” hit you hard in the chest, “Stellar Effect” is powerful and three-dimensional, and “Ad Infinitum” satisfies a yearning for a more Doom Metal-driven sound. Truly a highly effective and memorable collection, it feels like Before the Dawn’s return to glory as one of Finland’s elite Metal acts has staying power. Confirmed for some touring dates in 2026, let us hope others follow, because it would be fascinating to see the band live. Dubbing Before the Dawn’s Cold Flare Eternal, one of their most triumphant efforts, Cryptic Rock gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
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