Dusk

Established in 1993 in the Northwoods of Wisconsin is Dusk. Six months of overcast, sub-zero weather tends to bring out feelings of bleak hopelessness. Dusk has chosen to channel these emotions into musical form. Mood, atmosphere, and a sense of "groove" are combined into a mournful; aural experience. This inspiration has helped the band to be considered part of a handful of bands that helped pioneer the Death/Doom genre.

“Back in the early ‘90s, the North American death-doom scene was neither diverse nor rich. The bands that made this music in this period can be counted on one hand, but the first among them would be Avernus, Morgion, Winter and Dusk” -NO CLEAN SINGING, 2024.

Dusk was formed in January 1993 by guitarists Steve Gross and Tim Beyer. Together they set out to create something fresh. The line-up was completed with Shimron Heemstra on drums and bassist/vocalist Steve Crane. The band recorded the original self-titled debut demo "Dusk" at Simple Studios in Green Bay, it was released in early 1994 and was very well received throughout the underground, sparking a worldwide licensing deal with Cyber Music in Holland later that year and also a distribution deal with Relapse Records.

In January 1995, Dusk would record "Majestic Thou in Ruin" which has been considered as one of the top Death/Doom albums of all time still to this day. This album was what seemed to be a natural progression for the band. The addition of ambient chants throughout the album, and haunting female vocals in “The Transfiguration” proved to add some different elements of the overall direction of the band. Dusk found their stride within their interpretation of mind numbing Death/Doom. Lyrically, Steve Crane found himself fully immersed in poetic woe. The lyrics touched on the deeper, saddened gloom that was being produced musically. With this being said, themes included nature inspired malady, mental torment and finally; spiritual reflection and intercession. Though Dusk was just a couple years old they were able to achieve a worldwide cult following.

In 1998; however, Dusk went on hiatus. After several years, interest in the band never wavered and in 2015, Dusk was back together. At that time, Dark Symphonies/The Crypt Records agreed to reissue "Dusk"/"Majestic Thou Ruin" on CD and 2LP, which solidified the fact that Dusk was officially back. Dana Ignarski was recruited by the band to sing “The Transfiguration” and to add atmospheric female vocals to some new songs. The band's first show back was a sold out show in Milwaukee with Amorphis and Swallow the Sun in March 2017. Shortly after, Shimron left the band for personal reasons. Sean Smith joined as Dusk's new drummer. In May 2018, the band was honored to be invited to play Maryland Deathfest XVI. Dusk went on to tour with the legendary death metal band Master on their "Vindictive Miscreant" tour in August of 2019. After a couple of years of writing during the pandemic shutdown, Dusk released their first full length in 28 years, “Dissolve into Ash” in 2023. In 2024 Dusk won the “Performer of the Year - HEAVY METAL” Wisconsin Area Music Industry WAMI Award. In early 2025 Dusk decided to go a different direction, and added drummer David Swanson to the fold. David brings back the signature sound and style of the classic Dusk material. In May of 2025, Dusk performed at Milwaukee Metal Fest and then made their second appearance at Maryland DeathFest XX a week later. In August Dusk headlined for a packed crowd at The Very Famous X-Ray Arcade and then in September they made their first European performance at KILL-TOWN DEATH FEST X in Copenhagen, Denmark,.getting nothing but stellar reviews and offers from booking agents from around the globe for tours and festivals. Inspired by the great fan response, Dusk is geared up for 2026 and beyond.

Dusk Releases:
Dusk 1994
Majestic thou in Ruin 1995
Mourning…Resurrect 2002
To Find New Darkness/The Slumber 2005
Dusk / Majestic Thou in Ruin 2015
Withdraw 2018
Dissolve into Ash 2023

Dusk has had great pleasure playing with the following bands: Megadeth, Cannibal Corpse, Death, Cynic, Type O Negative, Cancer, Portal, Morpheus Descends, Rippikoulu, Voivod, Malevolent Creation, Six Feet Under, Sinister, Morgue, Afterlife, Gutted, Master, Broken Hope, Paralysis, Morbid Saint, Morta Skuld, Viogression, Godflesh, Satyricon, Evoken, Broken Hope, The Ruins of Beverast, Kataklysm, Fear Factory, Spectral Voice and many more.