Dawnwalker’s forthcoming 6th album, The Unknowing draws from influences of classic prog, art-rock and current day pop. The Unknowing follows their widely acclaimed 2022 album House Of Sand, inviting talented new players from Pupil Slicer, Deathbloom, Lure In plus flautist Bella Band to create an experience which is lively, epic, spooky and heartfelt in equal measure. The Unknowing has been specially recorded across three studios favouring vintage analogue equipment, natural performances, and minimal edits or overdubs in the vein of their prog heroes. The album has been co-recorded at Holy Mountain in London, as well as with Joe Clayton (Pijn) and Scott McLean (HealthyLiving, Ashenspire). The Unknowing explores deep themes of trying to understand our place in the universe.
THE UNKNOWING
1. Thema Mundi [4:10]
2. Capricorn [4:07]
3. Novus Homo [3:41]
4. Heaven & Earth [5:19]
5. Mirrorpool [3:16]
6. Sword Of Spirit [4:55]
7. Cancer (Rising) [4:26]
8. Fall To Earth [4:17]
9. The Law [3:58]
UNDERGROUND CONTEMPORARY PROG DARLINGS DAWNWALKER DAZZLE WITH THEIR LATEST OPUS THE UNKNOWING
For the past twelve years, underground British progressive champions DAWNWALKER have built up an impressive and explorative discography see-sawing between the fringes of metal and rock, with no two records helming a similar approach. Remaining triumphantly independent, the visionary project of Mark Norgate has blossomed from their origins as a collaborative studio project into a revered live entity. Once again, Dawnwalker re-invent themselves with a new cast of talented musicians for their sixth observation – THE UNKNOWING – a concept album meditating on grand themes concerning our shared search for belonging, and our desire to know our place in this vast, hostile and unknowable universe.
“Dawnwalker absolutely nail their unique sound. That sense of beauty in dreadfulness, and it’s a journey well worth taking.”
~ Angry Metal Guy
Conceived across three recording studios and featuring exciting new players, Dawnwalker’s sixth album The Unknowing finds a sharply tuned focus on songwriting, harmony and sonic finesse. Joining mastermind and guiding light Mark Norgate are seasoned talents including Luke Fabian (ex-Pupil Slicer) on bass, Chris J. Allan (ex-Malefice) on drums, flautist Bella Band, and vocalist Sofia Sourianou (Deathbloom, Lure In) bolstering Norgate’s lead voice with wonderful counter harmonies. Recorded largely by Stanley Gravett at Holy Mountain Studios (which has helmed records by Idles, Jane Weaver, Spiritualized, Green Lung and many more), additional sessions also took place with Joe Clayton (Pijn, Leeched) at Manchester’s No Studio (Mastiff, Mountain Caller, Ithaca) and with Scott McLean (Ashenspire, HealthyLiving) at Neon Fable Studios in Edinburgh – all captured with organic approaches, minimal edits, and a vintage analogue sound in the spirit of prog’s original heroes, favouring naturalistic performances without click-tracks. Through shaking up their methodology more than ever, these risks have rewarded Dawnwalker with one of their most consistent and cohesive offerings to date. “An extended kaleidoscope of clashing crescendos suspended in a constant state of flux.“
~ Pit Of Plagues
With no ten minute epics and no ambient interludes, The Unknowing is a concise single LP disc experience built from nine individually memorable tracks, with only one breaking the five minute mark. In Mark Norgate’s own words, The Unknowing is “a conscious move away from post-metal towards something spacier and more progressive; and probably more pop too.” Hitting the nail on the head, these songs are proggy without being indulgent, challenging without being overly complex, catchy and melodious with enough weird and off-kilter moments. A progressive rock sound, but with a bubbling metallic DNA intact. A boiling pot of great contradictions and contrasting flavours falling sweetly into place. Norgate prepared for the writing of the album researching and meeting with mystics, Tarot readers and astrologers, driven by a divine desire to trace humanity’s evergoing ways of understanding the hands of time, the cosmos, and where we fit into that space.
“…[
Dawnwalker] reinvent themselves while maintaining a distinctive and consistent identity. There’s a classiness and scholarliness to it all that keeps you coming back for more.”~ Metal Injection
Each of these nine tracks expresses a yearning and an ever present search, which is reflected sonically with a brighter sound palette than on any previous records. The album begins with Sofia Sourianou’s siren-like voice luring in the listener as glistening piano and soft spattering drums set the scene on opener ‘Thema Mundi’. ‘Capricorn’acts as a mantra for the entire record with its chorus, “Called forth on that lonely road, / March on further into the unknown”as a dramatic organ stutters alongside swirling, crunchy guitars. ‘Mirrorpool’ is a dynamic and eerie centrepiece showcasing two complimenting voices weaving around each other. ‘Sword Of Spirit’ and lead single ‘Cancer (Rising)’ are amongst Dawnwalker’s most jaunty and energetic tracks, whilst the irresistible ‘Fall To Earth’ is a straight up headbanging air guitar rager. The Unknowing is yet another spectacular and engrossing entry into the lore of Dawnwalker, presenting them at their most spacious and detailed. Dawnwalker sound full of adventure and whimsy, neatly capturing a pastoral playfulness, whilst keeping their occult and folklore influenced spirit intact.
“The album deals with grand themes that we’ve been reaching for throughout our whole discography. It is a doomed attempt to solve the grand mysteries of existence that pays homage to so many astrologers, soothsayers, mystics, faith healers, cult leaders and charlatans. It’s about the attainment of knowledge, but also an acceptance of a kind of un-knowing, making peace with your own insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe and yet still being able to gaze in wonder at it all.”
~ Mark Norgate, Dawnwalker
FFO: PORCUPINE TREE, PETER GABRIEL, OPETH, ENGLISH TEACHER, ANATHEMA.
Dawnwalker continue to build their legacy independently and will self-release The Unknowing on October 18th in-house on classic black Vinyl, plus a limited blue marbled vinyl variant. The striking and gothic painted cover art depicts a Victorian astrologer, completing a beautiful and thorough album package evoking the themes of the songs within. Collaborating with House Of Sand artist Mitchell Nolte once again, The Unknowing is a relic for record collectors. In late 2023, Dawnwalker completed a short double-headlining UK tour with HealthyLiving, initiating some of this new recording line-up ahead of the album writing and studio process. The band have also shared stages with the likes of <Bruit, Sacred Son, Bodies On Everest, Sugar Horse, Novere, and more. Their malleable sound and adventurous subgenre melds have confidently seen Dawnwalker nestle comfortably within progressive rock, post-metal, experimental and heavy music scenes.Dawnwalker will celebrate the album’s launch with a hometown show at Islington’s Hope & Anchor on December 15th, with ambitions for bigger support slots and festival appearances in 2025.
THE UNKNOWING IS AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE COVERAGE.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY AND LOOK FORWARD TO READING YOUR THOUGHTS.CREDITS
Written and performed by Dawnwalker. Music and lyrics by Mark Norgate.
Recorded and engineered by Stanley Gravett at Holy Mountain Studios, London.
Vocals recorded by Joe Clayton at No Studio, Manchester.
Mixing and overdubs by Scott McLean at Neon Fable Studios, Edinburgh.
Additional editing by Joe Clayton.
Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.
Melody and Greek lyrics on ‘Mirrorpool’ by Sofia Sourianou.
Cover art by Mitchell Nolte.
Live photography by Oculus Sinistra.
DAWNWALKER (2024)Mark Norgate – Vocals, guitar and keyboards
Luke Fabian – Bass
Chris J. Allan – Drums and percussion
Sofia Sourianou – Vocals
Bella Band – Flute
PREVIOUS DISCOGRAPHY
XIII (Redux) – Album – 2012
Dawnwalker – EP – 2014
In Rooms – Album – 2016
Mandala – EP – 2017
Human Ruins – Album – 2018
Crestfallen – EP – 2020
Ages – Album – 2020
House Of Sand – Album – 2022
VIDEOGRAPHY
Pagan Plains – 2024 – WATCH HERE
R.I.P. – 2023 – WATCH HERE
The Wheel, Pt. 1 – 2021 – WATCH HERE
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