by Dan Skiba
— Contributing Writer —
Darkwater hails from Sweden (where all things Metal are good and understood), and Human is their third studio record. The band plays true blue Progressive Metal … there’s no blend of Progressive-Power, or Progressive-Death, or Progressive-Whatever to be found in this Human release. Nope, Darkwater is a Progressive Metal band … and within the 76-minutes of music featured in Human, they prove they can stand toe-to-toe with anyone in the sub-genre.
If you like Dream Theater and Tool, you’re in luck, because Darkwater is a well-crafted blend of both these heavy weights. Henrik Bath is an excellent vocalist (and presumably lyricist), and especially early on in the album, you’d swear James LaBrie was manning the microphone. Other times the band delves into the realms of the progressively obscure, much like that of Tool. In the end, it works surprisingly well.
As with most dedicated Progressive Metal bands, the musicianship is outstanding, the use and choice of instruments varied and creative, and the lyrics are deep and reflective. It’s no surprise that this Human album deals with the human condition … there’s plenty of conflict, yearning, angst, hope, and so on. However, the lyrics are not what’s going to hook you into this album. Rather, it’s the precise sound engineering provided by Alternative Metal Mastermind Jacob Hansen, who’s work with Volbeat and Everygrey is unprecedented. Good song writing is good song writing … but when you add instrumental crispness, heaviness with clarity, and profound atmospheric effects, a “good” album can indeed become a true work of art. And, that’s exactly what these Swedes have accomplished with their Human album – the creation of Progressive Metal art.
In a subgenre that has been showing signs of stagnation, Darkwater delivers in solid fashion. Like with most Progressive Metal albums the downside is periodic slow passages that can make you scratch your head and wonder why on earth they broke the momentum, but by and large this is an album that may find its way on many Progressive Metal fans’ short list of “go to” records.
Genre: Progressive Metal
Band:
Henrik Bath – Vocals
Markus Sigfridsson – Guitars
Simon Andersson – Bass
Magnus Homberg – Keyboards
Tobias Enbert – Drums
Tracklisting:
A New Beginning
In Front Of You
Alive (Part I)
Alive (Part II)
Reflection Of A Mind
Insomnia
The Journey
Burdens
Turning Pages
Light Of Dawn
Label:
Ulterium Records
Online:
Darkwater.se
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(8 / 10)