Review DREAM UNENDING “Certain Uncertainties”

Certain Uncertainties marks the third album from Dream Unending. Justin DeTore and Derrick Vella once again explore progressive metal territory, bringing together expansive soundscapes and bursts of brutal death metal.

The album features six tracks, but their extended running times turn it into a 40-minute metal monolith.

“Blinding Allure” sets things in motion, and there’s quite a ride ahead. What begins with a gentle acoustic passage gradually transforms into a crushing death-doom track, creating a stark contrast with the laid-back opening. The way the song moves between these extremes while still feeling cohesive is impressive.

The title track follows, opening with jazzy guitar work and maintaining that relaxed vibe throughout. It’s an easygoing piece, at least until the opening growls of “Strained Sincerity” shatter the calm. Even here, though, Dream Unending continue to blur genre boundaries. The harsh vocals give the track its weight, while the guitars and occasional galloping rhythms introduce a different dimension to the duo’s sound. Somehow, elements that shouldn’t work together end up fitting perfectly.

“Rubato” picks up the jazzy, slightly bluesy mood of the title track before “I Carry Your Burden” draws the listener into more expansive progressive territory.

“Causal” closes the album with yet another shift in mood and texture, offering a final reminder of just how much ground Dream Unending are willing to cover. Beauty and discomfort go hand in hand, creating a sound that feels as inviting as it does unsettling.

On Certain Uncertainties, death-doom, jazz, blues, and progressive metal converge in unexpected ways. On paper, the combination might seem unusual, but Dream Unending make it feel remarkably natural. As the album repeatedly demonstrates, sometimes the elements that seem least compatible are the ones that work best together.