Review
Nine Covens
...On The Dawning Of Light

Candlelight (2013) Cheryl

Nine Covens – ...On The Dawning Of Light cover artwork
Nine Covens – ...On The Dawning Of Light — Candlelight, 2013

Nine Covens second release …On The Dawning of Light is a raging follow up to their debut that’s full of extremity and shades of melody alike. The furiously enigmatic group – no names, or indeed, faces – prefer to step back from the spotlight in order to let their music do the talking. Although, if you have a keen ear and a working knowledge of the current UKBM scene, then you may be able to figure out a few things for yourself. It’s this mystery that sets Nine Covens apart from their black metal brethren and makes them all the more intriguing. Who are these heathens and what do they want?

…On The Dawning of Light fires with the intensity of black metal as you know it, yet with members culled from varying realms of the metal spectrum their sound flickers with a heat that radiates through d-beat tempos and harsh melody, often within the same track. “As Fire Consumes” rages with disgusting coarse screams and roars whilst gorgeous waves of guitar curl around crust-laden drum crashes and a dastardly rhythm of unnatural speed. At this point Nine Covens leave behind all traces of pure black metal and enter a new territory of genre boundary crossing, and it is marvellous.

Frantic drum blasts sit within “At the Ocean’s Strand,” commanding attention and riffing against the shouts of “he who shall not be named” whose voice is both powerful and deeply engaging. Doomed out structures infiltrate “The Mist of Death”and incredible moments of wrath during "To Quench a Raging Flame" show that Nine Covens are not a band to take the easy route out and that since their debut, they have indeed grown into group capable of producing such coherence with differing musical backgrounds. Whilst the members all play in bands that can be judged as metal, the styles are opposing enough to make such endeavours often fail, but Nine Covens have overcome the initial faltering steps of …On The Coming Darkness and have blossomed into an interesting and commendable presence. …On The Dawning of Light is an excellent way to start the new year (unless you're a Brit and then you may have had this a little while) and is certainly a fantastic addition to a flourishing UK-based movement.

8.0 / 10Cheryl • January 21, 2013

Nine Covens – ...On The Dawning Of Light cover artwork
Nine Covens – ...On The Dawning Of Light — Candlelight, 2013

Recently-posted album reviews

Between the Buried and Me

The Blue Nowhere
Inside Out (2025)

Between The Buried And Me are seasoned vets to the progressive metalcore, electronic, prog (whatever other genre they bend) scene and continue to drop album after album. Their career started back in 2000 from the ashes of one of the greatest metalcore bands of all time (in my humble opinion), Prayer For Cleansing. As the band has progressed over the … Read more

The Beths

Straight Line Was A Lie
Anti (2025)

Dear Beths, Congratulations on the new release. I’ve been reflecting on our relationship and, as I’ve recently started to write about music again, have been asked to share my thoughts with you. First and foremost, I want to say that this isn’t easy for me. I cherish your album Future Me Hates Me from 2018. The title track alone is … Read more

East End Redemption

Crashing Down
Independent (2025)

Who would’ve thought that from the land of lobsters and blueberries, you’d find a punk band? East End Redemption is a four-piece band that brings their flavor of punk from Portland, Maine to the masses with their eleven song, debut full-length album, Crashing Down. They mix elements of skate punk, power pop, and even hints of hardcore punk. The band … Read more