Forged within the underground, the blackened melodic death metal quartet DAWN OF EXISTENCE released their debut album, Ancient Arts, in August 2024 under BLACK LION RECORDS. A ritualistic journey through the realms of the occult, cosmology, history, fantasy, and the paranormal, the album invites listeners into worlds where ancient mysteries and modern darkness converge. The release was met with strong critical reception and established DAWN OF EXISTENCE as a rising presence within the underground metal scene.
Formed in 2017, DAWN OF EXISTENCE is the creative force of multi-instrumentalists Votan and Astor. Drawing from melodic death metal, black metal, gothic rock, and the darker edges of 80s and 90s music, the band blends atmosphere, aggression, and melody into a sound that is distinctly their own.
In 2025, the lineup expanded with the addition of veteran musicians Robert O’Briant on guitar and Collyn Rios on drums, transforming the project into a full four-piece. With live performances now complementing their studio work, and a new EP and second full-length in the works, the band is on the warpath to bring their blend of melody, atmosphere, and aggression to stages wherever the path leads.
With the backing of BLACK LION RECORDS and a full lineup, DAWN OF EXISTENCE continues writing, performing, and exploring the realms where history, myth, and the unknown converge.
The path continues.
Forward.
DAWN OF EXISTENCE is
Votan: Guitars, Synths
Astor: Bass, Vocals, Guitars, Synths
Rob: Guitars
Collyn: Drums
Featured Artists on Ancient Arts
Fernando Lemus: Drums
Nils Courbaron: Solo on “Škoda ‘14”
Sebastian Ramstedt: Solo on “The Hierophant”
PRESS
Metal Temple Review by Dave "That Metal Guy" Campbell
SoundScape Review by David Oberlin
Metal Addicts Review by Poleto
Acta Infernalis Review
Metal Mindscape Review by Kami Thee
Metal.de Review by Angela (auf Deutsch)
Obliveon Review Tobi Stahl (auf Deutsch)
Heavy Music HQ Interview with Chad Bowar
Breathing the Core Interview with Screamer
ROCK’D Interview with Robert Carrigan (Video/Audio)
Metal Robot Podcast Interview with Tom McKay (Episode 1 | Episode 2)
Robb’s Metalworks Interview (Video)
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