Review by Jack on January 6, 2005.

It’s difficult to review those albums you find no real connection with. They’re neither here nor there. For whatever reason As It Burns’ Mortal Dusk is one of the records for me. It’s not that I’m not a fan of black metal, death metal or thrash (Mortal Dusk contains each of these), but As It Burns have put together Mortal Dusk in such a way that I find it hard to maintain a connection and build an affiliation with the record.

We’re looking at some crunchy, down tuned melodic death metal with strong thrash elements and hints of black metal added for some variety (generous usage of the Hammond organ for something extra, too). Now normally this would make for a pretty rockin’ listen, but something somewhere goes wrong. These guys have got some great ideas I am sure, but I think they are having problems in penning them on paper. Aside from the title track, Mortal Dusk is a bit too full of safe songs that never get much more moving than tapping your finger on your home or office desk. Take some risks lads!

Maybe you’ll find something more in Mortal Dusk than what I did. But something doesn’t sit right with the record for me, which is disappointing because I am usually a fan of these hybrid records.

Rating: 5.5 out of 10