Now that heavy metal has returned to the commercial mainstream (once again), the music scene becomes flooded with bands that try desperately to grab hold of the hottest sound and ride the lightning. Enter Midnight Dawns. This Winnipeg four-piece plays boring, conventional metal – actually, metal isn’t even the appropriate term. This is boring, conventional hard rock with some guitar harmonies, pinch harmonics and galloping guitar riffs sprinkled on top of the same store bought riffs we’ve been hearing for years. Imagine a cross between Guns N’ Roses and post-Black Album Metallica and you should have an idea of what to expect here: Nothing special. These guys are technically sound players, but the overall sound is stale. Every metal musician goes through a phase where they try to imitate Metallica. Here’s hoping the guys in Midnight Dawns exit that phase as soon as possible so they can get on to making music that’s a little more original.

Published in Volume 63, Number 26 of The Uniter (April 2, 2009)