DARKWATER „Calling The Earth To Witness”

Music: Melodic Power/Progressive Metal
Website: http://www.darkwater.se
Country: Sweden
Cool songs: All Eyes On Me, The Play, Shattered, Tallest Tree

Not so old band, formed in 2003 and still in the same line up. During the first years of existence, they only performed a few gigs, while working upon the material for their first long play. The material, which is strongly under the influence of such bigwigs as SYMPHONY X or DREAM THEATER. Had enough?

DARKWATER presents quite an interesting progressive play, equipped with every of its tricks. First of all, the compositions are monstrously long – over eight minutes of play each (apart of short ‘The Play – I and six-minute ‘In My Dreams’), is a real challenge. Every track is a little concert, where guitars, drums and keyboards take the lead. The first are quite heavy, fleshy even, and with the keyboard support, create a mysterious EVERGREY effect. The drums know where and when to appear, and as for the keys, these parts are the best fills in this album: compact, diligently worked and mastered. In the pathetic songs (later developing into dynamite) the band sounds like late STRATOVARIUS, but when the power strikes, they sound like KAMELOT. But this is not a subtle girly play, the compositions are longish and developed, the motifs and pace vary, although sometimes I had an impression that some of the ideas were used more than often, but who said that it is wrong?

‘Calling the Earth to Witness’ is a long (sometimes a bit too long) and developed progressive album, which provides a lot of joy from the listening. Do not be misled by those modest intros, just allow the tune to wind up and feel it.

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1. 2534167 (Intro)
2. All Eyes On Me
3. Again
4. Habit
5. The Play – I
6. The Play – II
7. Shattered
8. Tallest Tree
9. In My Dreams

Total playing time 68:21

Line-up

Henrik Bĺth – vocals, guitars
Markus Sigfridsson – guitars
Karl Wassholm – bass
Tobias Enbert – drums
Magnus Holmberg – keyboards