Released by Ulterium Records
Release Date: November 12th, 2010
Genre: Progressive Metal
Links: www.darkwater.se
Links: www.myspace.com/darkwaterofficial
Line Up:
Henrik Båth – Vocals, Guitars
Markus Sigfridsson – Rhytm and lead guitars
Simon Andersson – Bass
Tobias Enbert – Drums
Magnus Holmberg – Keyboards
Tracklist:
01. Breathe
02. Why I bleed
03. Into the cold
04. A fools utopia
05. Queen of the night
06. In the blink of an eye
07. Fields of sorrow
08. Without a sound
09. Walls of deception
It has been a couple of years since Darkwater hit the scene with their debut “Calling The Earth To Witness” which laid some groundwork as a solid breakthrough debut for the Swedes. The band then was able to balance the timeless formula of metal and enough progressive metal elements along with great melodies ala Circus Maximus or Redemption but not as heavy overall as those 2 bands. I know by now we don’t need to restate how many of these progressive metal bands come out each year trying to leave a mark, but as hard as it is to play this genre it’s twice as hard to create something original since so much material has been already covered. Such is the task for the guys of Darkwater now with their sophomore release “Where Stories End”.
Although the vocals of Henrik Båth may not reach peaks of greatness as other progressive metal greats,what he doe sis provide a sharp coil entwinement of carefully arranged verses and along with the focus on the music itself the band has manufactured some easily flowing songs with plenty of keyboard driven mood swings and bleak moments to keep you induced. “Why I Bleed” jumps at you when you hear the chorus line and the intricate chords played throughout. I wanted to compare Henrik Båth’s voice in “Into The Cold” to Daniel Gildenlöw’s of Pain of Salvation here, an eerie comparison not only in the vocals but in the main riff that dominates the intrinsic rhythm bass. More heavy filled emotions fly by when “Fields of Sorrow” grinds it’s way through a spiral of strong moments.
Can’t say enough about the quality punched into this giant carousel of feelings and trivulations that one hears through Darkwater’s music, from the beautifully haunting keyboard passages to the bellowing voice of Båth, these guys have shown a maturity that some bands only dream of. A welcome breath of fresh air not seen this year in the progressive metal world since the release by Aspera earlier this year. What we have here is a complete work of expression that must be heard to truly appreciate and I recommend it to any fans of progressive music in general.
Written by Denys
Ratings Denys 9/10
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