Finnish melodic doom and gothic metal band DAWN OF SOLACE has signed a North American record deal with M-THEORY AUDIO for the release of its fifth studio album, Skeletons, arriving February 12, 2027. To mark the announcement, the band has unveiled the album’s title track alongside an official music video.
Founded by WOLFHEART and BEFORE THE DAWN mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen, DAWN OF SOLACE continues its exploration of melancholic melodies and atmospheric heaviness with a record that promises a darker musical direction.
Describing the newly released single, Saukkonen explains:
“The title track of the album and first single ‘Skeletons’ is a hypnotic Nordic pulse that grows darker and stronger until the grandeur of the chorus kicks in and brings a tidal wave of melodies.”
The upcoming album represents an important milestone for the band, marking its first release with dedicated North American distribution.
“I am extremely happy to announce that our Scandinavian melancholia and Nordic darkness-infused art is now under the wings of M-Theory Audio and beyond excited about the fact that forthcoming 5th Dawn of Solace album ‘Skeletons’ will be the first one with a proper North American release,” Saukkonen comments.
According to Saukkonen, Skeletons emphasizes the contrast between the harsh and clean vocal performances of Mikko Heikkilä, whose work with KAUNIS KUOLEMATON and SINAMORE has established his presence within Finland’s metal scene.
“Skeletons is definitely the darkest Dawn Of Solace album and strongly highlights the contrast between the demonic voice of Mikko Heikkilä in addition to his angelic melodic cleans capturing both darkness and light. The profoundly somber melodies are still there but on this album the counterforce is far more tenebrous and heavy than before. Scandinavian darkness in its finest form.”
Originally established in 2005 as Saukkonen’s solo death/doom project, DAWN OF SOLACE released its debut album, The Darkness and the Light, in 2006. Contractual and legal complications subsequently placed the project on an extended hiatus before its revival in 2019.
Since returning, the band has maintained a consistent release schedule with Woe (2020), Flames of Perdition (2022), and Affliction Vortex (2025). The forthcoming Skeletons will become its fifth full-length album and fourth since the project’s return.
The current lineup features Mikko Heikkilä on vocals and Tuomas Saukkonen handling guitars, bass, drums, and backing vocals. Session musicians Jukka Salovaara and Saku Moilanen contribute lead guitar and keyboards, respectively.
Skeletons was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Saku Moilanen at Deep Noise Studios. The album features cover artwork by Colton Glancey.
The record will be available in North America on CD and a limited-edition Acid Rain colored vinyl pressing, restricted to 300 copies. Physical and digital preorders are currently available through M-THEORY AUDIO, including merchandise bundles.
DAWN OF SOLACE will release Skeletons on February 12, 2027, through M-THEORY AUDIO
Watch the official music video for “Skeletons” below: