Angry Metal Guy<p><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/buried-realm-the-dormant-darkness-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Buried Realm – The Dormant Darkness Review</a></p><p><i>By Owlswald</i></p><p>Colorado’s <strong>Buried Realm</strong>, the technical melodic death metal project of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Josh Dummer, has built a steady following since 2017’s <em>The Ichor Carcinoma</em>. This is largely because— alongside his role as the primary writer and producer of <strong>Buried Realm</strong>’s music— Dummer is one hell of a guitarist. Additionally, he enlists a prominent cast of guest musicians for each album, adding another layer of proficiency to his progressive soundscape.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/buried-realm-the-dormant-darkness-review/#fn-214693-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">1</a> While Dummer’s talent and networking ability are compelling, 2020’s <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/buried-realm-embodiment-of-the-divine-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><em>Embodiment of the Divine</em></a> received a mixed reception from AMG’s own <strong><span>Twelve</span></strong>. Since then, Dummer has made notable upgrades through the addition of drummer Heikki Saari (<strong>Fintroll</strong>, ex-<strong>Norther</strong>) and the outsourcing of post-production duties, resulting in a heavier and more polished sound on <strong>Buried Realm</strong>’s 2022 self-titled third album. With these refined elements and the promise of further evolution, I was eager to delve into <em>The Dormant Darkness</em> to see what I would find lurking in the shadows.</p><p>What I found was a great album. Building upon the foundation of <em>Buried Realm</em>, <em>The Dormant Darkness</em> finds Dummer taking the next step in his power-tinged melodeath assault. The opening barrage of “Bloodline Artifice,” with its relentless blasts, tremolo onslaught, and visceral screams, channels the power of tech-death giants like <strong>Allegaeon. </strong>At the same time, the album’s overall melodicism is indicative of <em>The Living Infinite</em>-era <strong>Soilwork</strong>. Guest appearances include the likes of Per Nilsson (<strong>Scar Symmetry</strong>) and Christopher Amott (ex-<strong>Arch Enemy</strong>), who fortify tracks like “Human Code” and “Futuristic Hollow Nation” with sweeps, dives, and wails galore. Saari’s intricate rhythms and colorful accents amplify <strong>Buried Realm</strong>’s dazzling riff craft. Additionally, Dummer’s Laiho-esque rasps intertwine with Bjorn “Speed” Strid’s (<strong>Soilwork</strong>) roars and Christian Älvestam’s (ex-<strong>Scar Symmetry</strong>) soaring choruses to add sophistication and depth. With a well-rounded mix that delivers plenty of punch and low-end heft, <em>The Dormant Darkness</em> features a concentrated and layered sound that is rich, heavy, technical, and a ton of fun.</p><p></p><p>For those who crave virtuosity, <strong>Buried Realm</strong> will not disappoint. Guitar wizardry is delivered in droves, with memorable solos, melodic leads, and powerful shredding across the record’s eight tracks. Nilsson’s dynamic fretwork at the heart of “Human Code,” Amott’s dive-bomb acrobatics within “Futuristic Hollow Nation,” and Daniel Freyberg’s (ex-<strong>Children of Bodom</strong>) blazing solo on “A Futile Endeavor” stand out as particularly jaw-dropping moments.<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/buried-realm-the-dormant-darkness-review/#fn-214693-2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">2</a> Dummer and Saari’s merciless grooves— shredding and hammering with precision— strengthen the album’s star-studded guest list, constructing <strong>Buried Realm</strong>’s tech-heavy compositions. Contrasting <strong>Buried Realm</strong>’s unyielding virtuosity are Älvestam’s uplifting serenades on songs like “Jaws of the Abyss” and “Futuristic Hollow Nation” which present striking melodies and refreshing hooks that draw me back again and again. Ultimately, while the constellation of guest musicians warrant attention, <em>The Dormant Darkness</em> is filled with highlights that will appeal to a wide audience.</p><p>With its intensity and compositional depth, <em>The Dormant Darkness</em> could have easily become overwhelming. Indeed, the songwriting periodically suffers from overly dense passages and abrupt transitions. The disjointed vocal exchange between Dummer and Strid before the chorus in “Human Code,” for example, is jarring, as is the song’s mid-section where a whirlwind of blasts and leads stutters and starts erratically. That said, while occasional missteps somewhat detract from the album’s pacing and flow, they are minor quibbles in a record rife with strong songwriting. Furthermore, Francesco Ferrini’s (<strong>Fleshgod Apocalypse</strong>) poignant orchestral arrangements on tracks like “Ophidian Dreams” and “Where the Armless Phantoms Glide, Pt. II” provide atmospheric grandeur and emotional depth, mitigating aural fatigue and upholding sonic balance.</p><p>Overall, <em>The Dormant Darkness</em> is a blast. The album is the culmination of <strong>Buried Realm</strong>’s evolution and proves that Dummer’s persistence and dedication have paid off handsomely. It’s full of highlights and genuinely impressive moments, blending technical prowess with memorable melodic hooks, exceptional guest contributions, and compositional maturity. Despite the occasional minor slipup, the album’s technical and charming melodeath personality seizes my attention from the start and maintains its spectral grasp until the record’s final notes fade into the ether. With <em>The Dormant Darkness</em>, <strong>Buried Realm</strong> has established itself as a formidable force— one that melodeath fans won’t want to miss.</p> <p><strong>Rating</strong>: Great!<br><strong>DR</strong>: 6 | <strong>Format Reviewed</strong>: 320 kbps mp3<br><strong>Label</strong>: Self-Released<br><strong>Websites</strong>: <a href="https://buriedrealm.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">buriedrealm.bandcamp.com</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buriedrealm" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/buriedrealm</a><br><strong>Releases Worldwide</strong>: April 4th, 2025</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2025/" target="_blank">#2025</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/40/" target="_blank">#40</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/allegaeon/" target="_blank">#Allegaeon</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/american-metal/" target="_blank">#AmericanMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/apr25/" target="_blank">#Apr25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/arch-enemy/" target="_blank">#ArchEnemy</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/buried-realm/" target="_blank">#BuriedRealm</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/children-of-bodom/" target="_blank">#ChildrenOfBodom</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/death-metal/" target="_blank">#DeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/fleshgod-apocalypse/" target="_blank">#FleshgodApocalypse</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/melodic-death-metal/" target="_blank">#MelodicDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/power-metal/" target="_blank">#PowerMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progressive-death/" target="_blank">#ProgressiveDeath</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progressive-metal/" target="_blank">#ProgressiveMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/scar-symmetry/" target="_blank">#ScarSymmetry</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/self-released/" target="_blank">#SelfReleased</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/soilwork/" target="_blank">#Soilwork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/space-metal/" target="_blank">#SpaceMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/symphonic-metal/" target="_blank">#SymphonicMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/technical-death-metal/" target="_blank">#TechnicalDeathMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/the-dormant-darkness/" target="_blank">#TheDormantDarkness</a></p>