CALLING THE EARTH TO WITNESS

DARKWATER are a Swedish Prog-Metal band and this is their excellent debut released in 2007. Man i'm impressed with this band and album. In fact after the first four tracks I was thinking 5 stars but then it leveled off for me but it's still a very solid 4 stars. What is it with Sweden and Metal ? The bass player thanks Daniel Gildenlow and the gang. I like just about everything about this album, well except for the short ballad (haha). I love the way the keyboards are implimented and the singer has an excellent voice.They can rock hard or create atmosphere.

"2534167" is a short and strange intro. "All Eyes On Me" kicks in heavily rather quickly. As I mentioned earlier the keyboards are a nice touch and used so well here. Vocals around a minute as it settles. Contrasts continue. What a great sounding tune. Love the dark mood and also the uplifting chorus and those words "Don't stare. Don't stand so close". It kicks in hard after 5 1/2 minutes. "Again" is heavy duty to start. How good is this ! It settles with keys a minute in. So good as the guitar joins in. It's still heavy.Vocals before 2 minutes. I like that crunchy sound with vocals. A nice heavy sound after 6 1/2 minutes with background synths. "Habit" kicks in hard quickly.Vocals before 2 minutes. Lots of riffs here too. I like the calm after 4 minutes then it kicks back in as contrasts continue. Great sound 7 minutes in. An all out assault before 9 1/2 minutes. Piano only before 11 1/2 minutes then it kicks back in. Absolutely amazing up to this point.

"The Play-I" is a short ballad with fragile vocals and piano. Not a fan. "The Play- II" is much better.The tempo picks up when the vocals arrive.Vocals and piano only before 5 1/2 minutes as it continues to shift and change. Nice and heavy 7 minutes in. "Shattered" has a heavy intro then the synths take over. Heaviness is back ! Nice and crunchy as it settles in. Great tune but not as good as songs 2 to 4. "Tallest Tree" is heavy then piano only takes over before the heaviness returns.Vocals join in. Nice guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. Riffs follow. Piano only again before 5 minutes as themes are repeated. "In My Dreams" opens with keys then it kicks in heavily. Great sound here. We're galloping a minute in.Vocals follow as it settles some.Guitar solo before 4 1/2 minutes and piano comes in late.

A must for Prog-Metal fans and I can't wait to hear their latest.

social review comments | Review Permalink
Posted Thursday, May 5, 2011 | Review this album | Report (Review #443284)

Calling the Earth to Witness is a surprising beast. Darkwater's second, Where Stories End, is a highly melodic, but fairly standard piece of lightly progressive metal, with a pop-gothic feel. The first album is not dissimilar, maybe a bit rawer and heavier, not because of the guitar sound - it's ... (read more)

Report this review (#1055427) | Posted by Progrussia | Sunday, October 6, 2013 | Review Permanlink

This is one of those bands that became a favorite of mine almost right away. I actually wasn't sure about it the first time I listened to their debut, but after each listen I loved them more and more. While some people compare them to Dream Theater, and I do hear the resemblence, they also have ... (read more)

Report this review (#756161) | Posted by dtguitarfan | Monday, May 21, 2012 | Review Permanlink

Solid, solid, solid. Darkwater have released an incredible debut. The instrumental talent is superb as most prog metal bands are. Though I smell no cheese, this is serious music instrumentally and more so lyrically. Though not quite as technical as say Dream Theater, they rely heavier on great melod ... (read more)

Report this review (#434624) | Posted by AlexDOM | Saturday, April 16, 2011 | Review Permanlink

This is one album and band that is a must for all progmetal fans. The vocals are top notch and never sounds like someone reaching for a note they know they can't hit. "All Eyes on Me" is an excellent example what progmetal is about. The use of keyboards is never over over done or dominates any ... (read more)

Report this review (#402834) | Posted by cpuobsessed | Friday, February 18, 2011 | Review Permanlink

STOP!This a pure prog metal bomb,an album that it's impossible to let without reaction even the most pretentious metal,prog metal lover!This debut album for this SWEDES is trully impressive!The high level of musicianship and the so clever and mature musical structures for the album ..WOW!!!I a ... (read more)

Report this review (#292932) | Posted by Ovidiu | Sunday, August 1, 2010 | Review Permanlink

Stunning! I am so disappointed that this album of all doesn't have any reviews on here yet. Its just awesome from start to finish (well.. the intro track albeit short isn't all that great but once it gets going its just awesome!). I would describe it as progressive metal for the light-hearted. U ... (read more)

Report this review (#141432) | Posted by Sparky74 | Tuesday, October 2, 2007 | Review Permanlink

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).