Caïnan Dawn – F.O.H.A.T.

Band – Cainan Dawn

Album – FOHAT

Country of Origin – France

Genre – Black Metal

Release Date – October 27th, 2017

Label – Osmose Productions

Author – Hayduke X

I’m just going to come right out and say it. Caïnan Dawn has become my favorite French black metal band. This fact kind of snuck up on my too. I liked F.O.H.A.T. right away, but didn’t immediately leap to that conclusion. Instead, through repeat listens, either full album, or a track coming up on shuffle, Caïnan Dawn works its patient magic on my psyche. Patient is a key word here, for as much as F.O.H.A.T. is built on a foundation of chaos, they approach the topic with a great deal of patience, exploring the murky depths and twisting by-ways. In doing so, they reveal truths of creation and destruction, chaos from harmony and harmony in chaos. I haven’t looked at lyrics, but musically, this is deep and moving.

Hailing from Chambéry, Rhône-Alpes Caïnan Dawn features Heruforod (Vocals, Guitars), Keithan (Bass), Avgruun (Guitars), and Kloct (Drums). While the album features many songs which have plenty of blasting, tremolo riffing, and vocals that are recognizably black metal shrieks, there is also a great deal of variation throughout. Heruforod yells, shouts, and near chants to his vocal repertoire. The band includes atmospheric elements in waves which serve to add to the chaos as opposed to truly provide respite. There is an entire track (actually the title track), which is essentially a rhythmic, ambient noise track. Though much calmer than the rest of the album, the effect is dread for what may be coming next.

With seven tracks pushing fifty minutes, the band takes their time to let the fury build. F.O.H.A.T. is a force to be reckoned with and Caïnan Dawn control the chaos like sorcerer demons from the days of your. Upon listening, you are immediately sucked into the void with them, but it they who control your direction and destiny. The horrors come roiling, monstrously thick and fiery hot. You may never find your way back.

Recommendation:  Submit to the mastery of Caïnan Dawn.

Rating:  5/5