Search - Darkane :: Demonic Art (CD/DVD)

On par with In Flames and Soilwork? You betcha

Memory J | Seattle, WA USA | 06/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never really heard of Darkane before I heard that they were opening for Soilwork on Soilwork's last Rejection Role tour. I read a little bit about them and saw a lot that they are, like In Flames and Soilwork, one of the major Swedish melodic death metal bands.



I have to say, in terms of talent and musical quality, this CD easily stands neck to neck with any work by In Flames and Soilwork. If anything, the main thing that probably prevents them from being as popular is that they are WAAAYYY heavier and in your face. Like Nevermore versus Opeth, Darkane is darker and more menacing than their more popular brethren, but this CD is so good to listen to when you're pissed off and in traffic!



Darkane is like if you took In Flames' melodic drum and guitar work, threw in Testament's thrash and speed, and on top of that add Pantera or Lamb of God's vocal aggression.



The other impression I have of this particular album, is that it is NON STOP, there are literally no breaks between some songs and it just totally kicks your butt from start to finish, with hardly a break (maybe 2 breaks in between songs?? on the whole CD).



This is pretty much a must buy CD for any super heavy metal fan, and the band was awesome live as well."

Album of the year, and then some!

R. McAtee | United States | 06/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a Darkane fan from the start, and someone who considers their debut to be one of the finest metal albums ever made, I consider this to be a true return to form after a couple of fine but unremarkable releases. Don't get me wrong, every Darkane album is good, but not necessarily great. I've always felt that - after such a fantastic first release - Darkane became less unique and started trying to follow in the footsteps of Meshuggah . . . which numerous lesser bands were already trying to accomplish with far less talent than Darkane. Insanity in particular seemed to be a bit mashed together, more rhythmically chaotic and with emphasis on the drums over all else, and the vocals (undestandably different) were very one-dimensional. Expanding Senses was a step in the right direction, and Layers of Lies was a strong release, but I think that Demonic Art will make listeners new and old pay closer attention to what Darkane is all about.



This is by far Darkane's most melodic material overall, both instrumentally and vocally. Jens Broman has an excellent voice that stands out in a sea of copycat growlers-turned-"singers" that have permeated every niche of metal these days. He is as versatile as Lawrence Mackrory was on Rusted Angel, albeit with less black metal screeching and more clean singing. The guitars sit just right in the mix, not having to fight with the drums and bass to be heard. Lots of excellent riffs and solos all over the place, and the songs seem to "go somewhere" rather than just being a collection of musical puzzle pieces that may or may not fit.



Having seen Darkane on their recent North American tour, I really hope that they start getting some proper recognition and take their sound around the world. They have surpassed their countrymen in In Flames, Soilwork and Arch Enemy in virtually every category, and deserve to be a household name."

New frontman, same amazing results

Thickerstrings | Washington state, U.S.A. | 04/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just discovered Darkane in the past year; what a great, great band. Aggression, chops, and song structures way beyond just about every current metal act today. I was a little worried about the fact that they'd changed singers again; I first heard them on "Layers of Lies" and thought the singer was a strong point; he reminded me a bit of the singer of Holy Terror, a stunning speed metal band from the late 1980s (look 'em up, you'll be glad you did). But "Demonic Art" is crushing from the first note; highly recommended. They came through Seattle and Vancouver last month and I missed them; big mistake. Two weeks ago I saw Lamb of God and thought Darkane would have been perfect on that bill; they're that good. \m/"