FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…
On October 24, 2008, Darkane released their fifth full-length studio album, Demonic Art via Nuclear Blast/Massacre Records. It is the only album to feature vocalist Jens Broman. The concept of the album is based on the song Organic Canvas from Layers of Lies.
Background:
On October 6, 2007 it was announced that Darkane was writing new material for their fifth studio album Demonic Art, which was later released on October 24, 2008. Peter Wildoer posted this message on his website; "This coming winter we will start recording Darkane's fifth record. We have about nine songs ready. We were hoping to enter the studio earlier but in typical Darkane bad luck, our studio got flooded and badly damaged. So now we're looking for a new location for the studio and as soon as we find that we need to rebuild the studio which takes a lot of time. Hopefully we will start recording around Christmas (fingers crossed). In some weeks, we'll start working on the mix of the upcoming Darkane DVD. I just hope the DVD will be released early next year".
In an interview for Noise Pollution at omnimetal.wordpress.com in 2008, Peter Wildoer spoke a little bit about Demonic Art. Here is an excerpt from that section of the interview; The band’s first four albums were recorded with vocalist Andreas Sydow. When Sydow left the band in late 2007, the remaining members immediately tapped Jens Broman to handle vocals.
For a band that was flagging in energy at the time, Broman proved to be an inspired choice, Wildoer said.
“After 10 years, we kind of needed an injection, and Jens brought that,” Wildoer said. “It was hard to get started (recording Demonic Art) and Jens really injected that fuel into the band.”
While Darkane and Sydow parted on good terms, Broman’s intensity as a frontman has added a new dimension to the band, Wildoer said.
“Compared to Andreas, Jens is a bit more aggressive sounding,” he said. ” … Especially live, Jens has a very strong voice … I think Jens has a very good strength. Jens was the perfect pick for us. He has grown into the band.”
Most of Darkane’s music is written in collaboration between Wildoer, guitarists Christofer Malmstrom and Klas Ideberg – although Broman also stepped up to the job by penning lyrics for two of the songs.
“Klas has his own riffing style and Christofer has his. I put in my own thing, and that’s what makes Darkane,” Wildoer said. Demonic Art is the band’s fifth album, and is a clear indication that Darkane has found the signature sound that began to emerge on 2005’s Layers of Lies.”
“To me, (Demonic Art) seems like a natural progression from Layers of Lies, Wildoer said. “It’s faster and more furious, but I think it is a natural evolution.
“Definitely there’s a Darkane sound on the last two records and we’re very happy with that,” he said.
Critical Reception:
Demonic Art received mostly good reviews, with some giving a slightly underhanded review, like this review from Metal Injection, where it states; “Five albums and three singers into their career, Darkane are still slipping melodies into their thrash-infested death metal. Demonic Art doesn't try anything new, but it captures Darkane filling their Swedish Death Metal niche as soundly as anyone could hope.”
“Demonic Art finds a good medium between proficiency and tunefulness, and almost all of the songs are worth a few headbangs. The Hardcore structure of Leaving Existence shows the band moving in on Disfear's turf, and the awesome Execution 44 reimagines Ministry as a Death Metal powerhouse. New screamer Jens Borman is an effectively decipherable vocalist, eluding any Van Hagar comparisons by smoothly maintaining the band's best attributes. Still, the MVPs are guitarists Christofer Malmström and Klas Ideberg, whose consistently exciting hooks and solos carry much of the record, particularly the first half. Whether evoking alarm sirens on Demigod or At the Gates on the title track, the musicianship is nothing short of flawless.”
“Darkane don't surpass the heights that they reached on Layer of Lies, but Demonic Art confirms their talents. This is an ideal album for an opening act–unlikely to steal the show from a band of Meshuggah or In Flames' stature, but ripping enough mosh-worthy riffs and scream-back choruses to make a very enjoyable listen.”
Whereas, this review by Ryan Ogle for blabbermouth.net stated; “Though Darkane has remained somewhat hidden in the shadows cast by Melodic Metal heavyweights such as In Flames and Soilwork over the years, being underrated hasn't stopped the Swedes from improving and progressing with each album.
Fortunately, and one major reason why I predict Demonic Art to be the album that boosts this band's credibility a rung or two up the ladder, their evolutionary path has not led to the same 'written-for-the-masses' territory the aforementioned acts have set up camp in over the last couple of albums. There can be some subtle comparisons made between Demonic Art and some of Soilwork's earlier material, particularly in the vocals of new singer, Jens Broman (ironic as Björn "Speed" Strid appeared on a late '90s Darkane demo), but the overall vibe of this one is much thrashier and more aggressive than much of the melodeath coming out of Sweden these days.
To write an entire album conceptualized around a single song, as this disc is with Organic Canvas from Layer Of Lies, is an interesting endeavor to say the least, but Darkane handles the chore with a level of intelligence and depth that has been missing from previous efforts. Shades of Dimmu Borgir's dramatic orchestral flourish get things going with Variations Of An Eye Crush. Said tune's atmospheric, Danny Elfman-on-metal vibe and climactic build-up flows nicely into the chugging thrash of Leaving Existence. From this point on, Demonic Art maintains a rather consistent level of intensity, driven by the two-pronged assault of guitarists Christofer Malmström and Klas Ideberg and Broman's multi-faceted vocals; each of the three taking their own individual moments to shine. In regards to the guitar players, the aggressive as hell, death metal riffing on Impetuous Constant Chaos and Still In Progress, or the skilled soloing and harmonizing done throughout all serve as reasons to brag. Broman proves himself worthy several times during Demonic Art, but makes his biggest impact as a team player when directing his choir through larger-than-life choruses as he does during the title track and Absolution. Other choice cuts like Execution 44 and Wrath Connection show DARKANE's growth as well-rounded and aggression-minded songwriters.
After five albums of steady progression, Demonic Art sees Darkane finally ready to take on their Swedish brethren and the rest of the world right along with them. Here is an album that will make its mark by being more technically sound and musical than the most recent Scar Symmetry disc and loads more metallic and aggressive than what Soilwork or In Flames have been doing recently. Not quite brilliant or timeless, but goddamned impactful nonetheless.
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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