Track By Tracks: Dreams Of Gray - A Beginning (2025)

Dreams of Gray, the one-man project of Luis Rivera from Chicago, returns with A Beginning, a three-song EP that builds upon the critically acclaimed The World After (2023). This new release continues to refine Rivera’s vision of melodic death/doom and thrash, weaving in traditional heavy metal influences to craft songs that are both emotionally rich and sonically punishing.

1. A Beginning:

The title track sets the tone with a powerful juxtaposition of melody and melancholy. “A Beginning” acts as both an emotional overture and a dynamic journey. It opens with mid-tempo, mournful melodies that slowly give way to heavier, more intense passages. As the song progresses, it challenges the listener’s expectations by swerving into crushing riffs and full-on headbanging territory before receding again into more introspective textures.

Vocals shift fluidly from soft-spoken lines to clean singing and then to guttural, gruff tones, all while maintaining lyrical clarity—a rarity in extreme metal. The lyrics dwell on grief, particularly the existential sorrow that follows the death of a loved one. Rivera flips the typical perspective, asking not only what the deceased might feel about their unfinished life, but also how the living cope with what remains unsaid. It’s a thought-provoking start that sets an emotionally charged standard for the EP.

2. Beyond the Sky:

If “A Beginning” is a slow-burning emotional experience, “Beyond the Sky” is the adrenaline shot. A fierce and direct burst of melodic extreme metal, this track leans heavily into thrash and death metal influences. It’s built for movement—relentless and catchy, with enough firepower to open any live set. It may be the most straightforward song on the EP, but that doesn't mean it's lacking depth.

Thematically, it continues Dreams of Gray’s exploration of spiritual and existential themes. This time, the focus shifts to the soul’s journey beyond life. What is the nature of eternal peace? What does it mean to long for a destination that can’t be seen? These questions are embedded in the song’s high-speed aggression, giving the listener both a physical and philosophical ride.

3. Across the Endless Sea:

The closing track, “Across the Endless Sea,” is arguably the most ambitious piece on the EP. It features some of the fastest tempos Dreams of Gray has ever recorded, yet it never abandons melody. New vocal techniques are introduced here, especially in the chorus, where a fresh melodic voice emerges—an experiment that paid off and could point to new territory in future releases.

Musically, the track borrows from black metal’s guitar textures, but adapts them to fit Dreams of Gray’s more melodic and emotional framework. This blending of styles makes the song one of the most dynamic and surprising on the EP. Lyrically, it contemplates human interconnectedness. Rivera presents the idea that we are not isolated beings, but part of a larger web of lives—some present, some gone, all intertwined. It’s a moving closer that wraps the EP with a sense of purpose and continuation.

A Beginning is a leap forward for Dreams of Gray. Rivera has crafted three tracks that defy rigid genre boundaries while maintaining a strong identity rooted in melodic extreme metal. With thoughtful lyrics, dynamic vocals, and emotionally charged songwriting, this EP offers something more than just riffs and blast beats. It invites listeners to engage deeply, not only with the music, but with the ideas behind it.

Whether you’re into the classic eras of Paradise Lost, Amorphis, In Flames, or Dark Tranquillity, or you're simply looking for metal that balances elegance with intensity, A Beginning is well worth your time.