"The Osnabrück/Hannover melodic death metal formation HIRAES, consisting of former members of DAWN OF DISEASE and CRITICAL MESS, strikes back with their hotly anticipated second studio album! Dormant rings in the new year with full force and will be released on the 26th. January 2024 via Napalm Records.
Compared to their acclaimed debut Solitary from 2021, it is already apparent from the first listen that HIRAES have not only grown and matured in their sound through their countless live performances, but also seemingly put more time and creative energy into the development of sophisticated songwriting and have invested in production in order to further develop their own, distinctive trademarks. Using keyboards and new sound elements, Dormant certainly sounds fresh without sacrificing the nuances that made their first album so successful in the scene.
From brutal vocals, haunting melodies and aggressive guitars, HIRAES now play their trademarks even more intensively on Dormant, and impress with versatile drums, catchy riffs and rousing soundscapes through to an impressive vocal performance from singer Britta. The epic intro of album opener “Through The Storm” quickly unleashes a thunderous melodic death metal inferno, while the band delivers a truly versatile performance on furious tracks like “We Owe No One”! In terms of content, the new HIRAES record explores society's struggle and resilience in the face of modern challenges and is intended to inspire listeners to find peace and strength by focusing on themselves - which is ultimately particularly evident in the monumental title track "Dormant". .
The album was mixed by Jens Bogren and Ricardo Borges and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. HIRAES' second studio album turns out to be a rousing, intense and dynamic melodic death metal album that is both brutal and dark and full of melodic grandeur and melancholy. Fans of Insomnium, Dark Tranquility, Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth and At The Gates, Dormant is particularly recommended!"
