January: Darkwater
by Franco Wissa
Staff Writer
A simple glance at the media will tell us we are living in trying times. The fact that unrest and wars are happening virtually on every continent, tells us that at an alarming pace the planet is evolving into something different. But what is unchanging, is our need for an escape. Going to a place where things make sense. A place where we can forget about the unrest around us, and loose ourselves in what is constant – the need for well played, passionate, deep, heavy melodic metal. And filling that requirement is my choice for Hardrock Haven’s Band of The Month – Sweden’s Darkwater.
A listen to Darkwater’s incredible Calling the Earth to Witness, a review of which can be found here, will solidify that this melodic metal lineup is dead set on providing us that needed escape. With killer keyboards, a monster set of double bass drums, a deep heavy bass and evil bottomless guitars, all cemented together some astounding melodic vocals, Darkwater is part Dream Theater, part Seiges Even, part Circus Maximus and part Redemption. Call it progressive melodic metal with traces of hard rock if you will. And with comparisons such as this, one can only hope for a band that doesn’t lose sight of what is important in a melodic metal release. And Darkwater fulfills all those requirements and more. Formed in 2003 in Western Sweden, it wasn’t until 2006 that studio time was secured, tracks were written and the result is what should very well be in every melodic metal collection. The mastering of Calling the Earth to Witness was done by the gifted Goran Finnberg, whose work can also be heard on releases by The Haunted, Dark Tranquility and In Flames.
With the influx of melodic metal in today’s market, (a lot of it with varying degrees of success and playability,) Darkwater did undeniably have a lot to prove with the release of their debut. Due to the fact that many of those who have released melodic metal recently do possess a certain level of commitment and drive to want to release a true good CD. But here’s the thing, the difference of having that talent, desire and commitment of putting out such a release and the ability to put out such a CD is what can make, or break a metal outing. And it can be heard within moments of hearing the opening bars of the CD in question. Talent, desire and commitment do not completely a metal band make. No more would a person’s ability to hit a punching bag fast and hard make them an overall good fighter. There are so many other portions to it. You can put some talented people together in a room and the best resources from which to draw from, but the end result may not be a good one — and on tape, one may be able to hear of a talent and the musician’s desire to bring to the listening audience a real fervent melodic metal CD, but other elements that makes it a good CD may be missing. Just like what makes an overall strong, well rounded fighter, what must also come into play is not only how they sound as a whole, as a band, but also each track, individually, torn apart, diving into the core of the music, into its underscore accompaniment. Right down to each individual note, bar, refrain and then as a whole in each verse and chorus. Then past that how do each band member’s influences and crafts, as a body of work mix together. As a completed CD, does it, in its pure form work? Does it sound cohesive, tight and well played? Does the music draw you in so you, as a listener become part of the musical experience? Or does it leave you uninterested and blasé. Can you feel of a certain emotion? Granted, talent and desire are indeed a telltale part of a band’s sound (and a fighter’s ability to withstand three rounds in the ring,) but melodic metal is a tricky subject – with so many layers of voices and instruments, it, in order to be a GREAT release coming from a great band it has to be mixed well, the production tight, the music penned just right with hours of rehearsal and re-writing and then rewriting the music again, knowing that one something is missing. A note, a strike of a drum, or to bring that track lift and sentiment, does it need an additional layer of vocals or more keyboards or guitars, or must it be louder or softer. The music must come in and out of earshot at exactly the right times, and the harmonies right on cue. How does the guitar mix with the keyboards? Do the vocals work with the emotion coming from the accompaniment? Are there enough vocals? Do the bass and drums drive the music forward? And do each of these instruments compliment each other? If not, the melodic metal CD will fall completely flat. But just like that well rounded fighter who can jab, kick, wrestle, perform complex submission holds and throws, connect with an uppercut, throw a devastating cross, block, cover and fight just as effectively on the ground as on his feet — and not just be able to punch hard and fast, Darkwater, has shown they have all the parts that make up a great melodic metal band. And, on top of that, they have released a great melodic metal anthology of tracks.
You can hear of their ability to play melodic metal, but even more important is you can feel the emotions and desire when you hear this band play, sing their songs, play their instruments, and I can only imagine the thunder that must come from hearing Darkwater play live. They have indeed crafted a collection of tracks where all the parts that make up a great melodic metal CD are present. They sound, as a body of musicians tight, they mesh well, and individually they know their instruments, and play each one of them extremely well. They truly have set themselves apart as a remarkable band. A listen to their music will solidify that they did spend those hours of re-writes and listening to each track during its studio time with an ear for knowing not only what works, but what didn’t work. It is this staff writer’s wish to have been in the studio when this band laid their tracks, to hear of what tracks were added to, what was re-worked and what was shelved completely as unusable.
Yes, times are worrisome, the economy is struggling, and the world’s political, social and civil unrest makes us all uneasy — for not only ourselves, but for those generations yet to come. But for as long as there are bands like Darkwater one thing is for certain — well played, enthusiastic, fist pounding, from the bottom of your heart and soul melodic metal is here to stay. It can’t be faked or presumed. Plain and simple a band has it or doesn’t. Eden’s Curse sure as hell has it. So does Derdian, Saint Deamon, Leverage, Avantasia, Seventh Wonder, Threshold and so many others. To add to that list is Darkwater, and what Darkwater has done is formed an alliance, and brought to life all that which makes up a superb melodic metal band. And as talked about before it is all here: the talent, the commitment, the want, the drive, the passion, the desire, the gift, the cohesiveness and finally the ability and vow to only wanting to bring a real melodic metal sound that can be heard from one track to the next.
For that, and for all the individual and collective components that make Darkwater such a great band, this Swedish lineup deserves to be Hardrock Haven’s Band of the Month.
