Dawn Ray’d Announce Breakup: “We Have Said What We Needed to Say”

Anarchist black metal trio Dawn Ray’d confirmed that they have broken up. They posted a lengthy explanation on social media but the reasoning seems pretty straightforward: this band accomplished what it was meant to and this is a natural end.

Dawn Ray’d released their third album, To Know Light, earlier this year. Regardless of political affiliations that often overshadowed the music, the trio were unique throughout their existence, using a drums/guitar/violin/vocals setup as opposed to black metal’s expected guitar/bass/drums/vocals approach.

The breakup is effective immediately and any scheduled shows were canceled. You can read their statement below. In true Dawn Ray’d fashion, any future proceeds are going to charity.

“Dawn Ray’d is finished. This band has not stopped for 8 years, we were touring before we even had any music recorded, we have toured further afield than we ever imagined; we have spoken about ideas of anarchism and liberation at every show we have ever played, given out thousands of copies of Beyond Chaos in merch orders and at shows, we have tried our best to attack fascism in this scene head on at every opportunity we have had, we have tried to use every platform, every moment possible to spread these ideas.

“We are at a point where Dawn Ray’d is no longer the right vessel for us to express ourselves creatively or politically and we have said what we needed to say in places that hopefully needed to hear it.

“All shows from today will be cancelled, and we sincerely apologise for that.

“Thank you to anyone who cared about this and every wonderful person we have met, we have loved doing it.

“All money and future merch orders will be donated to Sea Watch, and all cash will be given to Liverpool Migrant Solidarity Network.

“See you in the streets!

“Fabian, Matthew, Simon.”