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Darktribe: Mysticeti Victoria

Melodic Power Metal

3.5/5.0

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Massacre Records
by Craig Hartranft,  08.11.2012

Darktribe is an upstart heavy power metal band from France, formed by two brothers Anthony (vocals) and Julien (drums) Agnello. Mysticeti Victoria is their debut album on Massacre Records label. This is basically European power metal with some nods to prog metal in the arrangements.

Darktribe: what are they looking for?

At the start, skipping over the brief prelude, while ambitious, there's nothing flattering about the first three tunes. It seems that Darktribe merely wants to establish their metal credentials; the songs are heavy and fast paced, but typical of the genre.

Then things improve with Lightning Guide, a lighter number but immensely intriguing. It gets better from here. Darktribe isn't always trying to be heavy and relentless in speed. Lost, Eyes Have You, Poison of Life offer the slight prog nuances and some real groove. They're accessible and on target for melodic power metal. Then the album rounds out with some average material in Beware the God and Life Love & Death. Yet, even the average songs show tremendous amounts of passion and ingenuity.

Musicianship and production are at a premium: the songs are well-played and the mix crisp. If there is any dilemma it may be in the vocals. Anthony Agnello can sing, but he often seems smothered on the heavier numbers.

For classic European melodic heavy and power metal, Darktribe's Mysticeti Victoria is a sound and entertaining offering, but still rather generic. If they pursue more of the prog metal influences, they could be contender for greater things.

Listen, Buy, Download: Darktribe - Mysticeti Victoria

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For classic European melodic heavy and power metal, Darktribe's Mysticeti Victoria is a sound and entertaining offering, but still rather generic. If they pursue more of the prog metal influences, they could be contender for greater things.

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