Symphonic speed metal from Madrid, Spain! Although formed in 1994, they didn't record their debut before 1999. But they've been busy ever since. They sound like Rhapsody, Blind Guardian and Vision Divine.
THE
HALL OF THE OLDEN DREAMS (2000) ARISE RECORDS
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Line-up: Elisa C. Martin - Lead & Backing Vocals Enrik Garcia - Guitars & Backing Vocals Albert Maroto - Guitars & Backing Vocals Anan Kaddouri - Bass Robert P. De Camus - Keyboards Jorge Sáez - Drums |
Spanish bands are not that common, although Spain really has a huge metal crowd. Dark Moor are a welcome contribution to my world of heavy metal. They play Rhapsody influenced metal, and they do it well. Dark Moor writes great songs, and adds a dimension with some female vocals. I have grown very tired of female vocals mixed with death metal grunts, but in Dark Moor's music, it fits beautifully! After one of the coolest intros I have ever heard, Dark Moor presents one great song after another. If I have to pick on something here, it has to be that the best songs are the first ones, and that the album maybe looses a bit of my attention towards the end. 'The Hall Of The Olden Dreams' is their second release, and I have to try an get this bands other releases after hearing this. Recommended!
Killer tracks: Maid Of Orleans, Bells Of Notre Dame, Somewhere In Dreams
THE
GATES OF OBLIVION (2002) ARISE RECORDS
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Line-up: Elisa C. Martin - Lead & Backing Vocals Enrik Garcia - Guitars & Backing Vocals Albert Maroto - Guitars & Backing Vocals Anan Kaddouri - Bass Robert P. De Camus - Keyboards Jorge Sáez - Drums |
Dark Moor are one of the lesser known symphonic metal bands around. And that is really a shame. Because this Spanish act continues to deliver quality music from album to album. 'The Gates of Oblivion' is the bands 3rd outing. What you get is powerful, epic, symphonic, melodic heavy metal. The music is not unlike that of Rhapsody. But Dark Moor is far from a copycat band. They write extremely catchy songs, filled with mighty choruses and orchestration. Elisa’s (yes they have a female singer, although she sounds just as much like a man as Fabio from Rhapsody does!) singing have a range that is fitting nicely with the music. The drums are of the galloping sort, and the guitars are riffing away like there was no tomorrow. Fortunately they do vary enough within these boundaries, so the album never gets boring. In fact, every song are pleasing to my senses, and they make me wanna hear more. Definitely a killer album from start to finish. But to get that extra spine-chilling feeling, check out ”In The Heart Of Stone” and ”Nevermore”!
Killer tracks: In The Heart Of Stone, Nevermore, By The Strange Path Of Destiny
