Dark Black. Now there’s an odd little moniker. Tautology aside, I wonder what the story there is? Whatever, 'Midnight Wraith' is the US four piece (when they can keep a drummer) third release after their debut EP 'The Barbarians Hammer' and 'The Sellsword' full length. Nice moody cover they have for it, too. Can you tell we're in True Metal Sword and Sorcery territory?
'Doom Herald' opens things in a great, sprightly and enthusiastic fashion. From note one it's obvious this is classic US Heavy Metal: twin guitars of Anthony Crocamo and Rob McConlogue, galloping rhythms from Eben Travis and a great high pitched vocalist/bassist in Tim Smith. Think a slightly more straight forward Slough Feg but with still more time changes in this song than Enforcer throw into an album. There's also more than a touch of demo/first album Valkyrie before the Baroness influences crept in, particularly in the vocals and the lighter lead harmony moments. Lay on a thick layer of that NWOBM heads-down attitude and you're in their area.
With a clear production helping to highlight the excellent, catchy refrain it's about as good a start as any fan of Heavy Metal could wish for, and a serious step up from that first EP of theirs in every department from vocals to songwriting.
Sometimes, yes, you wish that the guys had fewer ideas and went with just a couple of them as they all seem so strong. But there again when they launch into something like the NWOBHM steeped 'Power Monger' where even the bass led boogie fade out has a refrain to die for you just kind of throw up your hands, grin and admit that maybe they do know what they're doing.
Things lighten, just a touch you understand, with 'Golden Idol'. A more lilting guitar harmony affair breezes in. It's the kind of Wishbone Ash via the US feel that Valkyrie used to do so well. Then the title track 'Midnight Wraith' is thundering back to the twisting and writhing beast of a hard edged Slough Feg and some excellent six string dancing.
There really is something distinctly their own to Dark Black; a style to the hooks that has a fresh and modern edge for a traditional sound and it is so great to hear this. For a moment I thought Wolf really were out on their own in this field.
Closing out the EP, Dark Black leave the best to last: Broken Oath is simply a stormer. Riding in on a melancholy harmony lead it suddenly shifts gear into a full throttle headbanging end-of-set celebration. Smith's wailing, expressive vocals riding the battle charge riff like a veteran warrior, each turn held beautifully and the guitars finding ways to change tack but never Iosing that NWOBHM power. Gorgeous.
Forget all those bands who are more concerned about getting the 'right' kind of spandex and the oh-so-ironic song titles and lyrics. Brave the real thing. Best Heavy Metal EP of 2010.
Now it only l could get a copy that doesn't skip!
http://www.myspace.com/darkblack
