When it comes to straight progressive metal as far as this year goes, the stream has been quite slow for one reason or another in my case. It’s a style that has limitless possibilities with all that can be achieved within its self-expanding boundaries, so when a band comes around that delivers something that is truly exceptional it is something that must be heard. When I first dove into the newest effort from Dawnwalker, I knew this release was something special, but it’s every follow-up listen that showed me just what exactly what was happening before my eyes and ears.

It often doesn’t take much for a record of this style to excel despite the potential for it as well as the work that goes into it being utterly exorbitant more often than not. Sometimes the simple approach in a soundscape that’s renowned for its complexity can be the best approach that some bands can bring to the table, but most, like Dawnwalker, elect not to take such a route in order to craft something that’s not just noteworthy but downright outstanding in every form. When it comes to “Ages”, outstanding is just the very beginning of what’s to be found within these eight tracks that result in a nearly hour-long work. The very essence of this album is to be found in familiar territory that any progressive fan can recognize in a heartbeat with how light-hearted and inviting it can be in every instance, but it’s the further you fall into “Ages” that you start to recognize the layers upon layers of excellence that Dawnwalker has gorgeously stacked on top of one another to create an overall experience that can be just as blissful as it can punishing and as dreamlike as it is earth-shatteringly powerful. The main tracks of the album stretch easily over ten minutes to provide us with works that are adventures in their own right as each of them hold their own majesties and perils that Dawnwalker execute with masterful precision that results in what could be argued as one of the most exemplary works of the style to wiggle its way to the surface this year. I truly do hope that “Ages” does not run past the scene without so much as at least a little attention for, in every conceivable way, Dawnwalker has made something that’s deserving of so much more whether it be because of its godly rhythms, grand musicianship, or the gripping variety that’s presented in virtually every single piece that is thrown our way throughout this truly extraordinary effort.

In a style that has limitless potential, any work that manages to stand out I feel is more than worthy of tremendous attention for all that is accomplished and I ask that to be no less than true for what’s been done here with the brand new and godly work from Dawnwalker. From the near-angelic beginning to a dissonant exit, “Ages” has so much to offer in nearly infinite forms and I can guarantee that should you find yourself diving into the gorgeously made depths that make up this record then you’ll re-emerge with experiences behind you that are no less than exquisite from start to finish.

LISTEN to “Ages” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Dawnwalker on Facebook here.