Zeruel Unveils “Return by Dawn”—Rising Dark-Gaze Flagbearer’s First Single After Joining Rise Records
Zeruel, a shoegaze artist from Baltimore, Maryland, has released a new track, “Return by Dawn”.
Describing their sound as dark-gaze/ambient metal, Zeruel blends metalcore, shoegaze, and classical influences to create a cinematic sonic experience. In 2025, the artist toured with Novulent, a representative of the new-generation shoegaze scene, and is set to join Deafheaven on their upcoming EU/UK tour starting in November. Despite having yet to release a full-length album, Zeruel has built a strong following, reaching 445,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
The track serves as the third single from Zeruel’s forthcoming debut album. Tribal rhythms reminiscent of TOOL are layered with rich, noble vocals before giving way to torrents of intense guitar. The latter half introduces classical and grandiose passages, returning to heavy riffs punctuated by demonic screams. The interplay of ferocious shouts and soaring vocals in the finale evokes a battle between devil and angel.
Zeruel has also joined Rise Records, home to acts such as Spiritbox and Touché Amoré, signaling heightened anticipation for future releases. With this strong support, the debut album is expected to fully showcase Zeruel’s signature “dark aesthetic.” Following the angelic Wisp, Zeruel’s demonic presence may soon make a significant impact on the shoegaze scene. Fans of Novulent and Holy Fawn will likely want to take note.
Zeruel – Return by Dawn | Streaming & Download
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