MUSIC BOX: The unlit dawn
By: QAM (November 17, 2002)

The world of Dusk is one of black sunrises, mystic quests and beckoning, whispering forests of the Nordic realms. Dubbed ‘the heaviest export of Pakistan,’ Dusk are a couple of seasoned homegrown metal soldiers who have finally released a compilation long player exclusively for this country titled Hearts of Darkness (HoD).

At the dark heart of the band is bassist/vocalist Babar Shaikh and guitarist Faraz Anwar. With HoD, the band has compiled material from their genesis in the mid-nineties all the way up to the recent past. Subdued Light sets the stage with intense atmosphere from the word go as drums pound out a martial rhythm. The growl/scream dynamic is employed effectively, while the pulverizing Await is retooled as a neomix with studio tricks and sonic sorcery.

Returning and To Pathos — originally one track — are cleverly rendered asunder into two distinct songs, the former striking a reflective chord with classically tinged picking, while the latter’s chugging progression steamrolls the ears. The interludes on this record provide an interesting departure from the mundane. Ars Moriendi packs a subtle sonic whollop as angelic hymns collide to form a pensive metal dirge. Forty Seasons From Now is one of the most cryptically beautiful tracks on the record. The pummelling double kick merges with the rock hard bass, and of course there are guitar fireworks galore. Think Al Di Meola meets Dave Mustaine. The sprawling soundscape canvasses seven and a half minutes of tempo shifts and rich, resonant guitar tones and bass patterns.

The curiously titled Chairizkuro (misspelled, but it’s a term from art describing the effects of light) is ushered in by swirling keyboard passages. The track combusts as the percussive barrage interplays with Faraz’s eccentric six-string pyrotechnics. Obscure Moon Sighting is one of two tracks from Aufgang, a one off trio that featured Babar, former Ganda Banda bandmate Rizwan on drums and a saxophone player named Barges. The trio sounds like acid jazz from the south side of the sky. This stuff is a must for addicts of surreal, melodic noise. It has a very Pink Floyd groove to it circa Wish You Were Here but is much darker. XMOG is the second Aufgang track and kicks off with vocal acrobatics. It turns quite tribal, almost sounding like a tripped out Big Band session with some tight drum rolls.

The only disadvantage Dusk have holding them back apart from their obviously non-conformist sound is the language barrier, as none of the songs are in Urdu or other local languages. That notwithstanding, Hearts of Darkness is a morose body of mature expression that deserves the attention of discerning audiophiles and dark individuals of all hues.