Year : 2019
Style : Melodic Progressive Power Metal
Country : Sweden
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 169 mb
Bio:
Darkwater was formed late 2003 in the western parts of Sweden. During the first years of existence they only did a few selected shows in Sweden while working on the material for their debut album. During summer and fall 2006, Darkwater recorded and mixed the album, and early 2007 a deal was inked with the Swedish label Ulterium Records.“Calling the earth to witness” was released in May 2007 and received extremely good reviews from all around the world. Darkwater’s perfect blend of melodic and progressive metal was something the scene was craving for, and while taking inspiration from bands like Symphony X, Dream Theater and Evergrey, Darkwater have for sure created a sound of their own.In May 2008 Darkwater recorded and released a music video for the track “The play II” and in June they went did their first show in the US, at the Bay Area Rock Fest together with Liquid Tension Experiment, Jeff Scott Soto among others.During 2009 the band parted ways with their bass player Karl Wassholm, and stepping in as bass player for the band is Simon Andersson [ex. Pain of Salvation].In April 2010 Darkwater started to record their new album “Where stories end”. The famous Studio Fredman was chosen for the mix and mastering of the album, and during summer the album was completed. The band also recorded a music video for the opening track of the album “Breathe”.With all the great reviews and response for their debut album, Darkwater surely felt some pressure to produce a great follow-up album, which they managed to do without any doubts. “Where stories end” is a master piece of melodic progressive metal, and will not leave any fans of the band or the genre disappointed.
Album:
It’s no secret that the world of prog metal has been dominated by the U.S.A. for nearly the past thirty years, largely due to the titanic time-changing Dream Theater, as well as bands such as Tool, Fates Warning, and Symphony X. As such, the genre as a whole tends to have a more typically American metal sound, relying more on heavy grooves and riffs rather than melody and vitality.However, the Scandinavians have a knack for taking any music ever and turning it into their own lively, melodic brand. Darkwater’s Human is still very American-sounding at its core (or, should I say, late-Dream-Theatery at its core), but this adaptation is apparent and gives the album a far brighter feel. The hooks are catchy and the numerous symphonic, choir, and keyboard tracks that are consistently scattered throughout the album add a lot of depth and colour. The production quality is squeaky-clean and couldn’t be more well-balanced.The musicianship on the record is great, but as far as prog bands go, it’s nothing exceptional. The solos and grooves are pretty tame by comparison but these guys do an excellent job at proving that you don’t need to be shredding like a fucking madman for an entire ten minute song in order to be a successful prog musician. I also absolutely love how the time changes feel so natural and aren’t overdone. The entire experience is fluid and cohesive.Not a whole lot sticks out on this album, not because of lack of skill, but quite the opposite. That being said, there are a few specific parts that I really like. Henrik Båth’s vocals are simply perfect for this kind of band: expressive, clean, and not too overbearing. ‘Insomnia’ is probably the most power metal track on the album as well as my favourite (largely because of that mean synth solo). Another part that sticks out is the solo section in the final song, ‘Light Of Dawn’, which is mouth-wateringly tasteful.This is a phenomenal prog album. It’s full of life and it’s musical anatomy contains many intricate and detailed parts, and everything works together in unison. As a result, the entire album flows like a powerful river.
Line Up:
Simon Andersson - Bass (AudioPlastik, ex-Pain of Salvation)
Tobias Enbert - Drums (Harmony)
Markus Sigfridsson - Guitars (7days, Harmony)
Magnus Holmberg - Keyboards (ex-Harmony)
Henrik Båth - Vocals, Guitars (Shadrane, Universal Mind Project, Waken Eyes, Night Watch, ex-Harmony)
Tracklist:
01. A New Beginning
02. In Front Of You
03. Alive (Part I)
04. Alive (Part Ii)
05. Reflection Of A Mind
06. Insomnia
07. The Journey
08. Burdens
09. Turning Pages
10. Light Of Dawn
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
