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Darkwater: Where Stories End
Darkwater: Where Stories End
Melodic/Progressive Metal
4.0/5.0
Ulterium Records
www.myspace.com/darkwaterofficial
www.darkwater.se
By Craig Hartranft, 10.31.2010
Three years from well-received debut, Sweden's Darkwater returns with their second release Where Stories End. Much of what was said of 2007's Calling the Earth to Witness may be said of this release. The progressive metal remains, being melodic and driven by strong vocal harmonies, Magnus Holmberg's tasteful keyboards, and Markus Sigfridsson's fine guitar solos. There still a shade of darkness and heaviness, but never foreboding or dismal. Curiously, while Where Stories End is heavy enough to remain metal, the overall effect is more sublime. In the Blink of an Eye and the smashing Why I Bleed turn more on those melodic vocal harmonies, and a sometimes a near rock groove. Actually, Why I Bleed stirring and entertaining simply for that accessibility. Yet, A Fool's Utopia and Without a Sound find Darkwater heavy and provocative, using all their progressive skills to create atmospheric and deeply intriguing compositions.
With these observations it would be easy to conclude that Darkwater has not exceeded or moved beyond their debut. This would be only partially correct. The consistent mastery of your sound is a sign of maturity for a band. Darkwater's prog metal on Where Stories End is melodic progressive done their way and done quite well. Recommended.
In Short
With their second release Where Stories End, Darkwater demonstrates both their maturity and mastery of melodic progressive metal.
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Formed 23 years ago, Finland's Excalion has had a turbulent musical career. Before releasing a trio of albums between 2005 and 2010, they had personnel changes. Currently, only the drummer and keyboard ... [ Read More ]