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trax:
1. Eyes Of Defiance 05:06
2. No Sign of Life 05:05
3. Humanity Dethroned 05:12
4. The Forgotten Sin 08:26
5. Faded Dreams 05:30
6. Salvation Denied 05:16
7. Prelude 03:14
8. Haunted 05:28
9. Possessed ( We are one) 05:10
10. Closure 06:47
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=8598132 (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=8598132
Band
Jens Carlsson: vocals
Matt Moliti: lead guitar, death vocals
Andrew Atwood: rhythm and lead guitar, death vocals
Samus: drums
What is there really to say about Dark Empire? Moliti is talented as hell & Carlsson's other band [Persuader] is about as consistent as you can get in terms of quality of content, so going into their sophomore release, fans should only expect a similar level of quality and consistency in reproducing in the DE signature sound found in Distant Tides.
Though this release saw many setbacks and delays, the band has nothing to hide with this release, going so far as putting the album up for free streaming through their MySpace page.
This album is littered with great stand-out tracks, some of which include ‘Eyes of Defiance’ (melodic, fast, powerful, and catchy!), ‘Humanity Dethroned’ (title track for a reason), ‘The Forgotten Sin’ (I’ll lament on the greatness of this song in a bit...), and ‘Salvation Denied’ (very much in the vein of Distant Sky’s sound, for those looking for more of the same).
I know EM doesn’t particularly like track-by-track reviews but this song deserves a write up of itself so I’ll try to keep it somewhat brief. The fourth track, ‘The Forgotten Sin’, is a soothing slower paced track in terms of the vocals on many sections, but don’t let the word ‘slow’ discourage you as Moliti makes sure to keep the pace tight and fast...and holy hell, what a mind blowing solo! Starting off with a bit of a progressive-metal sound that can remind you of Petrucci and then follows it up with a more traditional finish. Guitarists listening to this album will be impressed. The catchiness of the vocals and ingenuity of the guitar licks at times make this a 5-Star track if there ever was one. It’s melodic, it’s progressive...it’s a bit of everything at times.
Dark Empire is a bit of a diamond in the rough. Not many have heard of them but the collective works of its members are of some of the best in the genre, indicative of the talent level of the band as a whole. Humanity Dethroned expands on the sound established since Northern Sky dropped, and keeps the pace without losing much momentum. I say ‘much’ because as a whole this release does lower the levels of aggression, speed, and overall catchiness when compared to its predecessor, Distant Tides, in favour of a sound that is a bit safer and arrayed to attract as many listeners as possible. If you prefer the melodic side to Jens’ voice, then by all accounts you should love this album.
1. Eyes Of Defiance 05:06
2. No Sign of Life 05:05
3. Humanity Dethroned 05:12
4. The Forgotten Sin 08:26
5. Faded Dreams 05:30
6. Salvation Denied 05:16
7. Prelude 03:14
8. Haunted 05:28
9. Possessed ( We are one) 05:10
10. Closure 06:47
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=8598132 (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=8598132
Band
Jens Carlsson: vocals
Matt Moliti: lead guitar, death vocals
Andrew Atwood: rhythm and lead guitar, death vocals
Samus: drums
What is there really to say about Dark Empire? Moliti is talented as hell & Carlsson's other band [Persuader] is about as consistent as you can get in terms of quality of content, so going into their sophomore release, fans should only expect a similar level of quality and consistency in reproducing in the DE signature sound found in Distant Tides.
Though this release saw many setbacks and delays, the band has nothing to hide with this release, going so far as putting the album up for free streaming through their MySpace page.
This album is littered with great stand-out tracks, some of which include ‘Eyes of Defiance’ (melodic, fast, powerful, and catchy!), ‘Humanity Dethroned’ (title track for a reason), ‘The Forgotten Sin’ (I’ll lament on the greatness of this song in a bit...), and ‘Salvation Denied’ (very much in the vein of Distant Sky’s sound, for those looking for more of the same).
I know EM doesn’t particularly like track-by-track reviews but this song deserves a write up of itself so I’ll try to keep it somewhat brief. The fourth track, ‘The Forgotten Sin’, is a soothing slower paced track in terms of the vocals on many sections, but don’t let the word ‘slow’ discourage you as Moliti makes sure to keep the pace tight and fast...and holy hell, what a mind blowing solo! Starting off with a bit of a progressive-metal sound that can remind you of Petrucci and then follows it up with a more traditional finish. Guitarists listening to this album will be impressed. The catchiness of the vocals and ingenuity of the guitar licks at times make this a 5-Star track if there ever was one. It’s melodic, it’s progressive...it’s a bit of everything at times.
Dark Empire is a bit of a diamond in the rough. Not many have heard of them but the collective works of its members are of some of the best in the genre, indicative of the talent level of the band as a whole. Humanity Dethroned expands on the sound established since Northern Sky dropped, and keeps the pace without losing much momentum. I say ‘much’ because as a whole this release does lower the levels of aggression, speed, and overall catchiness when compared to its predecessor, Distant Tides, in favour of a sound that is a bit safer and arrayed to attract as many listeners as possible. If you prefer the melodic side to Jens’ voice, then by all accounts you should love this album.
