DARK ARENA - FLOWING BLACK
INDEPENDENT
Metal To Infinity
Okay,
three years is no exaggeration for a Metal band to release a new CD but waiting
for something you’re looking so much forward to stays a difficult mission.
Especially in music I can be so god damn impatient…
Dark
Arena’s “Alien Factor” ain’t at all a CD that shocked the Metal scène
in 2006
but that wasn’t at all the band’s fault. They delivered all the
necessary goods, so why blame them? No, first of all the band didn’t find a
decent label and a second reason was that the Metal media was (and still is)
ignorant about this American super band. In an oversaturated Metal scène a band
needs both to receive any attention. A pity, even a disgrace but I don’t tell
any lies when I say “Alien Factor” became a record only a few die hard US
Metal fanatics discovered. To be honest it was, for me, one of the best three
albums of that particular year! This debut is already reviewed at our website
and it deserves its place between our ‘classic ones’! Stefan?
Amongst
all interesting and superb US Power Metal bands Dark Arena is without any doubts
one of the most attractive ones. The band plays typical US Power Metal in which
especially the Progressive and mid tempo Thrash elements, that makes this unique
genre so attractive, are present. Add some out of the ordinary guitars and
fascinating world class vocals and you will understand why I was looking forward
to this new release… The band contains two amazing guitar players, a keyboard
player who’s a master in adding subtle – yet overwhelming – performances
in the songs, an incredible technical drummer and a bass player who delivers
bass lines that will leave you behind with your eyes wide shut!
Dark
Arena delivers once again a high quality record! Sophisticated riffs, technical
played arrangements, a play of high power and a devastating wall of sound! The
guitar solos are fast fingered, crying, sensitive and just the way Heavy Metal
guitar solos should sound! These are the kind of solos that makes every Heavy
Metal fanatic playing the imaginary guitar, awesome! At least it proves how this
music doesn’t miss its effect on me and what kind of spelling force it has on
the listener! The opening track “Eclipse Of The Sun”, introduced by an
enigmatic intro, is a masterpiece to start with. This high quality standard
stays available for the listener during the entire album! All tracks are
incredible good written and contain – thanks to some dark samples and gloomy
instrumental pieces in and between the songs – a very mysterious atmosphere.
Dark voices in the back ground, grunts to make the music sound stronger,
mystifying acoustic introductions, odd and bizarre keyboard performances … all
are foreseen. In between you’ll discover shredding guitar solos and high
energetic riffs that will suck all the life out of you! Also the foundation is
amazing; more than once I can’t believe my ears listening to these lightning
fast bass guitar lines and fantastic double bass drums!
I
just adore it when a band delivers that ‘extra touch’ to make a CD
irresistible. Musical wise I can’t say that the band made many improvements;
therefore “Alien Factor” was too strong. By creating a more intense dark
mood on this release Dark Arena did actually improve. “The Dark Crusade” is
a good example on the way Dark Arena succeeds in their goal creating a
terrifying and scary atmosphere in and between their first class Heavy Metal
songs! “Pax Et Bello” is another very good example of what I mean; it’s a
short instrumental intermezzo with a creepy voice and heavenly – yet
frightening – choirs on the background… Once again I receive a cold
shivering! By adding it on this disc the listener stays into the right mood for
this overall ultimate dark CD!
The
essence and spirit of classic 80's Power Metal as well as any band, then or now
are at hand. The elements that made the Eighties Metal scène so special are
here! Anyway Dark Arena was so intelligent to add modern elements and melodic
refrains / choruses to it. Dark Arena sounds Progressive but without losing, not
for a slice of second, any sight to their red lines! The technical arrangements
and grunt voices in the back ground make everything sound even more stronger and
gives this disc a modern touch! It is impossible to name a favorite song; each
one of them contains its dark secrets you need to discover yourself… The
production is strong, not polished but indeed clean! Furthermore you’ll
discover spectacular
flowing guitar harmonies with just the right amount of power and even
more spectacular guitar solos! I need to say that the solos are more spectacular
than on the debut CD! The effective songwriting, ultra technical performed, will
deliver you a trip through the stories Dark Arena is writing about.
Add
a vocalist who contains an unique voice and can be compared with John Cyriis (ex
Agent Steel), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Geoff Tate (Queensryche), Tom
Malicoat (Lethal), Ski (Deadly Blessing) and Warrel Dane (Sanctuary era).
As a matter of fact it is a disgrace I have to compare Juan Ricardo with others
because he is without any doubts one of the best singers – world wide - in the
present Metal scène. Yes ladies and gentlemen; this is a vocalist
extraordinaire! Juan Ricardo’s voice is clean, strong and he’s able to sing
very high notes! His high screams are by the way
just fantastic!
It
took some time for me to get into this CD because every time I discover
something new that sounds tremendous to me. Dark Arena stays far away from the
Metal clichés and delivers a breathtaking album, unfortunately I fear it is
once again meant for a select public because the band is still not signed! The
chosen few who will discover this treasure will be blown away and will
understand why I always say that the best Metal bands are mostly underground…
Yes, Dark Arena is a top band in every way, in every aspect! No weak points on
this release that will maybe end as the ultimate number one in my year list!
Before the end of the year you can buy this masterpiece at: http://www.myspace.com/darkarena
My Points : 99 / 100 (Review by Officer Nice)