| Musical Style: Progressive Metal | Produced By: Darkwater |
| Record Label: Ulterium | Country Of Origin: Sweden |
| Year Released: 2019 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 76:08 |
Human, the March of 2019 Ulterium Records third full length album from Darkwater, takes the best parts of the Swedish progressive metal bands 2007 debut Calling The Earth to Witness and 2010 sophomore effort Where Stories End (both also Ulterium) and mashes them together. It begins with how Human mirrors the lengthier songwriting to the former, which as described in the 90% Angelic Warlord review is ‘over the top in its progressiveness with seven of the albums full-length songs averaging at around just over nine minutes each’ (and resulting in a total track length of 63 minutes). Human follows suit as a 10-song effort with over 75 minutes of music! It embraces equally the diversity to Calling The Earth To Witness, in that while no doubt progressive and metal at the same time also explores melodic hard rock and AOR along with some instrumental jazz fusion and jam band nuances.
Also encompasses is the manner in which Human draws upon the accessibility to the latter, noting how the 95% Angelic Warlord review exhorts it as ‘placing greater emphasis on melody while mixing in darker and atmospheric elements to create a work that comes across that much more immediately accessible’. Reviewers at the time that compared Where Stories End to Shadow Gallery not to mention Dream Theater, Evergrey and Symphony X had the right idea, keeping in mind the same pertains regarding Human. Musical consistency applies the same in that not unlike Where Stories End, no song on Human stands above the rest, revealed in the fact its compositions by no means sound the same but rather separate as equally good instead. In other words, Human finds Darkwater staying true to ‘melodically driven progressive metal backed by proficient instrumentation and excellent production’ (again, referencing the review).
For those not familiar, Darkwater is an outgrowth or offshoot of the melodic power metal band (and Ulterium label mates) Harmony, particularly in light of how it includes four of the five members to record the first two Harmony albums. Notably, vocalist Henrik Båth, guitarist Markus Sigfridsson, keyboardist Magnus Holmberg and drummer Tobias Enbert grace the Darkwater lineup on each its albums. Lone outlier is bassist Simon Andersson. No doubt Darkwater is its own band and comparison might not be entirely accurate, but chances are good if you are into Harmony you will also like Darkwater in light of the commonality of rosters between the two, and all the more so if you are a fan of progressive music.
It deserves note that Human is by no means a Christian album and Darkwater not a Christian band. That said, it would not be out of line to describe it as a ‘positive metal album’ when factoring musical themes that ‘welcome you into a world of you and me, how we affect the world around us and the struggles we deal with as humans’ (as noted in the groups press material).
Album opens to one of its ‘shorter’ tracks in the six and a half minute “A New Beginning”. With piano to start followed by an abrupt up-tempo cut in, the song finds Darkwater in top form with its signature melding of detailed guitars and transparent keyboards to join Båth’s recognizable classic tenor croon. It maintains the focused pinpointing the remaining way, as layered vocal harmonies build upon the expansive melody and Hammond B3 steps to adorn the instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
Breathe and let the poison in
Inhale the words in silence
One more soul consumed by fear
You have broken every rule
You've fallen way too deep now
Just one more can bring you down
Just one more will bring you to the ground
“In Front Of You”, extending an additional minute, mirrors the wistful with its somber vestiges, referencing the deep choral vocals and initial verses to mildly decelerate to bass and keyboards. Technical drum bearings of Enbert step forward in moving ahead, as ardor accelerates for the approach to the emphatic ‘I’m here, I’m right in front of you’ refrain to stay true to the classy. Sigfridsson’s lively lead guitar carries things. Lyric snippet:
But I refuse to be weak
Carry a burden 'cause you can't see
The way things really are
How come you just hide your self
Inside this monumental fortress
When we can make it fall
“Alive (Part I)”, a minute and a half of vocals and keyboards, segues to “Alive (Part II)”. Opening at once to symphonic choirs, “Alive (Part II)” gallops through its instrumental opening minute prior to settling down to a tempered flow in walking a fine line between metal and hard rock, revealed in the astute engaging of leading guitars and underscoring keyboards but also the veneer like vocal melodies to coat the furbished refrain. Symphonic keyboards close the final minute. Lyric snippet:
You can run and you can hide
But remember you only have one life
Never take for granted
What you've got and what you're given
I might lose and I might fall
But I will fight against it all
One last time
One last try to make me feel
Eleven and a half minute epic “Reflections Of A Mind” ensues. With a classical feel resonating throughout, the song commences to a lush instrumental first minute that precedes stately done verse sections and every bit regal refrain. Back and forth and back and forth again moving forward as impetus gradually builds, noting the periodic double bass outbursts, but force also decelerates at a moments notice, spotlighting the mid-point passage of an orchestral capacity. Unlike many epics, it is not home to a protracted instrumental stretch but rather several shorter ones instead. Lyric snippet:
Waking to the state I've been turned
Darkness all around and in my mind
You will stand before me, loosing hope
Waiting for the screams to be heard
Feeding on your fear, it's my reward
You cannot escape this, that's when you bleed
The moodily churning intro to “Insomnia” sets the downcast tone moving ahead, avowed in the choral vocals and doleful keyboards to build upon the shadowy but further reinforced by the manner in which Båth’s lower register vocal performance mirrors the eloquent. Coming out from left field and providing an air of (very flattering) unpredictability is the periodic use of sitar. Instrumentally, “Darkwater” lets loose with a jam based fusion run of epic proportion. Lyric snippet:
When I close my eyes
Within this withered place
What can break this malice course
Here I lie awake
Embraced insomnia
Without you there's nothing left to perpetuate
“The Journey” contrasts with the more positive and upbeat vibe. It is also heavier, with guitars making a greater impacting statement, but also allows the Darkwater rhythm section to shine, with Simon Andersson allowing the pumping bass presence and Enbert a sophisticated drum roll and fill propensity. The use of layered backing vocals, particularly for the gracefully done refrain, builds upon the wistful melody. Lyric snippet:
Into your dreams
Into the sunrise
I will always be there for you
Out of the dark
Far from the shadows
I have finally found my way back home
“Burdens” aligns with the instrumental focus, noting the opening and closing minutes to come across light and ethereal (almost medieval) as acoustic guitar, keyboards and piano take the lead. Similar to much of the Human material, a lengthy instrumental section does not dominate but rather things break down between multiple mid-point instrumental sections to feature guitar and keyboard solos. In between, “Burdens” elevates verse sections aligning with the nonchalant musical themes only to pick up impetus for the pleasing refrain: ‘If I confide in you, would I be redeemed like you?’ Lyric snippet:
I know, we have our burdens
But I feel that we could be
So much more than we are
Is this why we leave?
I know that we're fallen
But I can never let it go!
“Turning Pages”, albums second longest at ten minutes, separates as this reviewers choice track. It begins and ends with the catchy riffs and harmonies, appearing throughout the two-minute instrumental opening but also adorn the backend to the symphonic refrain and closing instrumental seconds. “Turning Pages” otherwise passes between moments both dreamy and exquisite and those sharpened in more concentrated fashion - not to mention numerous instrumental excursions (to highlight great lead guitar) - all the while the same abundant melody rises to the surface to allow the song not to wear out its welcome despite the length. Lyric snippet:
I can't take anymore
So I'm turning pages
Need this world to come alive
Or colors will fade
Turn into cold grey
Nothing more than empty lies
We can't wait anymore
We're turning pages
We need this world to break these lies
“Light Of Dawn” reaches for the mid-paced melodic. The dramatic interlude to start things segues from eerie keyboards to lower register guitars, the portent vestiges upheld moving ahead as ample bass and swirling rhythms (for the verse sections) and soaring vocals (for the epic refrain) play lead roles. The mid-point instrumental break stretches for a satisfying two minutes. Lyric snippet:
I sense the dawn but I'm turning to the night
Feeling secure in the shadows where I dwell
Hunting for prey by the pale light from the moon
But I will return
Rise, breathe
Swim ashore, emerge!
Ten songs and seventy-six minutes is a lot of music to cover- I literally worked the review over a period of several weeks due to the process being so extensive. The hard work, nevertheless, paid off in that what we have in Human is an expertly crafted and performed progressive metal album that does not overwhelm or distract the listener despite the concentrated detail. In other words, it is progressive but not to a fault. If open to lengthy songwriting, more than enough melody presents to attract those not always inclined to progressive music. Otherwise, fans of Darkwater and all things progressive are encouraged to make Human a necessary purchase.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “A New Beginning” (6:20), “In Front Of You” (7:28), “Alive (Part I)” (1:26), “Alive (Part II)” (7:22), “Reflection Of A Mind” (11:32), “Insomnia” (6:46), “The Journey” (8:04), “Burdens” (8:15), “Turning Pages” (9:47), “Light Of Dawn” (9:09)
Musicians
Henrik Båth - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Markus Sigfridsson – Guitars
Magnus Holmberg - Keyboards
Simon Andersson - Bass
Tobias Enbert - Drums
