Dynazty | The Dark Delight

by Dan Skiba
— Staff Writer —

Dynazty hails from Sweden … the land where all things glow with beauty (especially the Metal) … and The Dark Delight rounds out a full handful of releases since forming in 2008. The producer of this album is none other than Jacob Hansen, who has done wonderful work with bands such as Volbeat, U.D.O., and Destruction, to name a few. With Hansen’s name in the linear notes, you can be assured the sound is going to be full-bodied, encompassing, and certainly top-notch with respect to technological innovation. The Dark Delight is clearly no exception. The musical assault from beginning to end is bombastic and fills the room with thick-sounding Metal that remains upbeat and cutting edge. Additionally, the band’s use of alternative instruments and light orchestration certainly puts them on the pedestal of Metal sound pioneers.

“This is where we crash and burn … this is where we start to learn … ground zero” says the chorus within the opening track “Presence Of Mind.” This track does a great job of introducing both the theme of The Dark Delight and what you’re in for musically as a listener. The recurring theme appears to be reconstructing life and civilization as a whole, and the theme that we are our own worst enemy resonates with power, originality, and diversity.

Nil Molin’s vocals sell each track with enthusiasm and urgency, Love Magnusson and Mike Laver rip out some impressive and complementary solos, bassist Jonathan Olsson refuses to get pushed back into the rhythm section and pounds out the direction of each song like a general on his loyal Clydesdale, and George Egg does an outstanding job of delivering beats that provide the rumbling thunder — sure to shake the dust off of your listening room window frames. Musically, there is nothing left on the table … it’s all there … it’s all placed in the right spots … and it’s all powerful.

There are no weak songs on The Dark Delight, but certainly there are some notable tracks that will get stuck in your head after just 1 spin. “Heartless Madness” is certainly one of them … it’s got a methodical beat, some great keyboard accompaniment, and a chorus that is as catchy as it gets. Another to check out is the opener “Presence Of Mind,” the band’s first single and video from this album (check it out at https://www.dynazty.com). A third must listen is “Apex;” which explodes with passion and energy yet sacrifices nothing with respect to melody.

Some bands are able to incorporate trends … perhaps also setting a few of their own … and Dynazty is one of them. They’ve consistently put out good music from album to album, yet their music sounds both familiar and new. The Dark Delight is certainly Metal … but Metal with a number of twists and perhaps with a portal into the future. Dynazty may not have “caught on” as much as say Volbeat, but with The Dark Delight, the Stockholm Boys certainly prove they deserve to be on the same playing field. Check this one out!

Genres: Melodic Metal, Progressive Metal

Band:
Nil Molin – Vocals;
Love Magnusson – Guitar
Mike Laver – Guitar
Jonathan Olsson – Bass
George Egg – Drums

Tracklisting:
1. Presence Of Mind
2. Paradise Of The Architect
3. The Black
4. From Sound To Silence
5. Hologram
6. Heartless Madness
7. Waterfall
8. Threading The Needle
9. The Man And The Elements
10. Apex
11. The Road To Redemption
12. The Dark Delight
13. The Shoulder Devil

Label:
AFM Records

Website:
https://www.dynazty.com

Hardrock Haven rating: (8.5 / 10)