Artist: Darkane
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 10/1/02
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Title: Expanding Senses Artist: Darkane Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: 10/1/02 |
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Abyss's Review:
Darkane's Insanity blew me away. No ifs, ands, or buts. So it really needn't be said that I was really looking forward to this release (and yet I just said it anyway). Their last album got my blood pumping with their fresh take on metal, even while they borrowed from just about every genre out there. I always thought their last album was so well laid-out and so well written, even while being really straightforward in many respects, that it would propel this band into the lime-light where they deserved to be.
"Like all successful acts, that also brings up the burden of increasing expectations, and I have to say I'm a little disappointed with their new record." But, like all successful acts, that also brings up the burden of increasing expectations, and I have to say I'm a little disappointed with their new record. It starts off solidly enough, "Innocence Gone" storms out of the gate, and injects me with the same adrenaline rush I was used to. However, where their last album seemed to reach out in all directions, this one seems a little more static. They do almost all of the things that you would expect; they just seem held in check a bit, almost like these guys felt like they went too far last time. For instance, the vocal attack remains similar to the last album, but is much less varied. Andreas' voice maintains all of its stature, but he seems to experiment with it a little more frugally.
The guitar work is still very strong, but sadly, not as strong as the last record. There are some real kick ass songs on this record, but they don't blow me away like their earlier work. Much of it seems like a bit of regression from the steps they took with Insanity, and I personally feel that it makes this album a little less exciting.
"The biggest reason I think I will end up liking this record more is that, even with all of my disappointment, I still find myself drawn to it." Older fans should be happy that original singer Mackrory makes an appearance on "Chaos vs. Order", which is definitely another high point of the album, and they band as a whole seems to have maintained their common vision. So, I've given you a hell of a lot of personal opinions on this album, so I guess I should try to explain to you, the average metal fan, what the bottom line is. The bottom line is that this is a solid release. It is very possible that my liking of this album could continue to grow as I listen to it more and more, but first impressions are a little deflating. The biggest reason I think I will end up liking this record more is that, even with all of my disappointment, I still find myself drawn to it, and it will remain in my rotation for a good time to come. One word review: Great.
Death's Review:
The Swedish outfit Darkane features a lineup of band members with credits ranging from Arch Enemy to Terror 2000 and The Defaced. Darkane now deliver their third release and Nuclear Blast debut following prior North American releases on Relapse (1998's Rusted Angel) and Century Media (2001's Insanity) Records. The resulting Expanding Senses is a solid, riffy effort that combines the heavier, more "nu" side of the Swedish sound (think of bands like Meshuggah, aspects of The Haunted or Carnal Forge, and even other, non-Swedish acts like Strapping Young Lad) into their aggressive, thrashy attack. The modern sound may owe as much to the Daniel Bergstrand production as it does anything embedded in the songwriting. But the end result is the same: hyper-aggressive riffs with tight, staccato, machine-like brutality, mixed with catchy songs sung by vocalist of questionable ability yet possessing of a measurable vocal charisma peppered with quality guitar playing and soloing equals Darkane a la Expanding Senses.
"Too many aspects of what they do have a kind of a 'been there, done that' feeling to them, although you haven't necessarily heard this particular spin on the Meshuggah style." Opener "Innocence Gone" (for which the band has shot a video - can MTV2 be too far in their future?) is a good example of the Darkane style. Nice, sharp riffing bathed in modern sounding guitars and keys driven at the trademark Swedish midtempo stomp. The heavy headbanger riff that comes in around the 2:15 mark and the faster beat that comes in after it remind me of a sort of strangely mechanized Exodus or something. Overall, Darkane are a cool band. Too many aspects of what they do have a kind of a "been there, done that" feeling to them, although you haven't necessarily heard this particular spin on the Meshuggah style (yet I must yet again stress this is toned down from there and more accessible a la Soilwork and at times very thrashy) Swedish metal sound, you have, indeed gotten what you need from this from other, better albums.
Still, it's not always just about what you need, now is it? I like the catchiness of "Violence From Within" and a lot of the individual musical moments throughout the record. And for those of you who can get into the idea of Fear Factory combining with Forbidden, Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, In Flames and Soilwork, this may be exactly the fix you've been jonesing for. It does sound damn good blaring loud out of my stereo speakers.
"It does sound damn good blaring loud out of my stereo speakers." Bottom line: Darkane is a cool band, and, as you can see, they invite a slew of comparisons. Where do they fit in among all of the references? Somewhere in the middle of the pack.
Hel's Review:
Darkane is one of those bands whose albums I never love as much as I want to. They are consistently good, but two records in a row have failed to blown me away. Why is that? There is something lacking for me - that intangible addictive factor necessary for an album to be truly great in my book. But put this issue aside and see the truth. Darkane have issued another damn fine record.
"Darkane are consistently good, but two records in a row have failed to blown me away."
"So it doesn't completely knock my socks off and snag five skulls from my bag o' scores - it's damn good anyway." Expanding Senses find Darkane utilizing their trademark blend of varying influences once again. Throughout the disc, many instances find me thinking of thrash influences, and dwelling on nostalgic memories of such bands. But there is so much more to Darkane beyond that. They have a modern death side, and a melodic one as well. The list could continue, but I'll leave that task to you.
Darkane is a band that every metalhead should be familiar with. Their records are solid, metal fun. So it doesn't completely knock my socks off and snag five skulls from my bag o' scores - it's damn good anyway. Definitely, definitely, pick up this album and give it a few spins. It deserves a chance to earn a space in your rotation.
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