Continuing their trend of incorporating album titles with color-inspired themes, Blackened Progressive Death Metal outfit Dawn Of Ouroboros follows 2023’s Velvet Incandescence with the equally magnificent effort, Bioluminescence (Prosthetic Records). 

What made the aforementioned prior release so beguiling was both the vocal performances of Chelsea Murphy and the curious, explorative instrumentations that accompanied her, creating a luscious spectacle. 

Bioluminescence expertly builds on that success while also implementing electronics and atmospherics that further elevates the finished product. 

The title track alone opens the record with gargantuan screams and boisterous drums. Once again, Murphy’s varied techniques keeps interest and energy (not that either was ever lacking) and showcases her prowess right out the gate. Soft-to-the-touch guitar soloing and a glossy passage provides an eloquent balance.

That eloquent balancing is even more evident with “Slipping Burgundy,” a stunning, Jazz-flavored number that accentuates the hypnotic range of Murphy’s voice. The experimental nature is exciting enough; the band goes all in and it pays off handsomely.

“Fragile Tranquility” successfully introduces rip-roaring, intrepid drumming while still allowing for space and time to be quite dreamy and inviting, musically. 

As for ambience, futuristic electronics in both the intro and outro of “Dueling Sunsets” works both as a nifty bookend and yet another example of Ouroboros’s ability to be as much Jekyll as they are Hyde. “Mournful Ambience” even creates feelings of being on a loading screen from early Assassin’s Creed games. 

The way in which Murphy instinctively knows when and how to use abrasive vs. somber vocals and the tenacity of the rhythm section to be able to paint any and all pictures in response combine for yet another monstrously successful record.

Buy the album here:
http://dawnofouroboros.bandcamp.com/album/bioluminescence

9 / 10
MATT COOK
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