Dawn Ray'd

A Liverpool, England-based black metal trio with an anarchist/anti-fascist agenda, Dawn Ray'd eschew the usual moribund black metal lyrical tropes for throat-shredding diatribes against racism, sexism, and economic inequality. Alternately uplifting and relentlessly bleak, the band's politically and socially charged lyrics, paired with their caustic, yet atmospheric sonic attack bolstered by vocalist/violinist Simon B., invokes names like Wolves in the Throne Room and Agalloch, with a touch of anarcho-punk legends Crass tossed in for good measure. The band's debut album, A Thorn, A Blight, was issued in 2015 via Halo of Flies. A sophomore effort, Unlawful Assembly, followed in 2017 and was released by Prosthetic Records, as was 2019's Behold Sedition's Plainsong. ~ James Christopher Monger