Dark Sky hails from Germany and plays European Melodic Hard Rock/Metal music. Dark Sky was formed by school mates back in 1982 in the German town of Rottweil. In 1992 the band released two demos and then the members all suddenly disbanded. One year later, the band reformed and did various gigs but it wouldn't be until 2000 that Dark Sky would release 'Believe It'. In 2002 the band moved forward with the release of their follow-up sophomore album titled 'Edge of Time'. In 2005, just three years after the band's second release, Dark Sky released their third full-length studio album titled 'Living and Dying'. In 2008 fans would hear from the band again as they released their 4 full-length album titled 'Empty Faces'.
In 2012 Dark Sky signed with Pure Legend Records/Pure Steel Records to record a new album with a new direction. This 2012 release has the famous painting of The Lord's Supper by Leonardo da Vinci and was titled 'Initium' which in English means 'Beginning'. This is an appropriate title due to the 'Beginning' of a new direction that the band was taking with their new music style. Initium finds the band playing European Power Metal with Symphonic touches accompanied by big choir vocals wrapped up in an Arena Rock sound similar to bands from the 80's era. Today, we are finding that more and more bands are trying to reproduce the 80's style Metal in one way or another as we find with bands like 'Desyre, Messenger, and Faith Factor and many more.
“Initium” was produced by Markus Teske(Saga, Vanden Plas, Mob Rules, Red Circuit) at Bazement Studios in Hünstetten/Germany and 'Initium' was released by Pure Rock, a division of Pure Steel Records. The album features guest performances by Hannes Braun(vocals) and Ande Braun(guitars) from Kissin’ Dynamite as well as some guest vocals from singer Klaus Dirks(Mob Rules).
“Initium” was produced by Markus Teske(Saga, Vanden Plas, Mob Rules, Red Circuit) at Bazement Studios in Hünstetten/Germany and 'Initium' was released by Pure Rock, a division of Pure Steel Records. The album features guest performances by Hannes Braun(vocals) and Ande Braun(guitars) from Kissin’ Dynamite as well as some guest vocals from singer Klaus Dirks(Mob Rules).
Initium is a concept album and with concept albums they can be hit or miss as some bands wonder away from the idea of the concept or fail to relay their concept well. However, Dark Sky has done a great job on this album staying true to the concept throughout the album. The concept, on 'Initium', is the evangelic story of Jesus Christ. It tells parts of the Life of Jesus on Earth with the events of the Lord's Supper to the betrayal of Judas to Peter's denial to Jesus' Death on the Cross to His resurrection and more.
One thing that made the 80's incredible was that most bands were known for their vocalist and for the unique sound that he or she delivered. Dark Sky has captured this magic in Vocalist-Frank Breuninger. Frank delivers up the same diversity found in the 80's as he sings with a unique and very distinct "Metalesque" vocal register. Frank understands the genre well as he sings with grit and plenty of hooks and variation. I must say that he is one of the better vocalist that I have heard in the christian Metal realm.
Another cool thing about the 80's Metal scene was the memorial power Ballads. Most Bands would at least have one ballad on each album. Dark Sky is no exception to this rule as they have placed not one but two power ballads on their 'Initium' 2012 release. The two ballads are "I Swear" and "Eternity". Vocalist-Frank Breuninger and the band really know how to jazz up a power ballad with all the right hooks and progressive attitude to keep you coming back for more.
Guitars are handled by Steffen Doll who can shred with the best of them offering up plenty of driving Power Metal riffs with lots of variation. The guitar work of Steffen will motivate you and get you moving as there is plenty of energy to go around. His Power Metal riffs are not the light Euro fluff-variety neither are they the heavy-Western variety but are somewhere in between being the best of both worlds.
Claudio Nobile is the Keyboardist here and does a fine job of creating atmosphere for each and every tune on 'Initium'. To these ears, it sounds as though the symphonic touches are also produced on the Keys by Claudio. Sometimes, European Power Metal bands have a tendency to be a little too heavy on the Keyboards adding too much and overpowering the Guitars. But this is not the case here with 'Initium' as Claudio delivers just the right touch of ambiance to each tune allowing all other instruments to shine. Our keyboardist also roles out the piano on a few tracks adding even more variance to the album.
Uwe Mayer is our skin pounder and he does a great job of making his presence known on 'Initium'. When I first listened to Initium, I was using small speakers and there didn't appear to be any double bass pedal action but after hearing it on bigger speakers there's definitely some double bass added at certain moments. Uwe does a great job of keeping the tempo up beat throughout the album even when he's not using the pedal, bringing lots of energy to the mix.
Your going to find that the lyrics, in some spots, could use a little more development as the band is not singing in their native German language. However, those spots are few and far between and don't distract from the overall listening experience.
Lyrics are Christ centered and uplifting as you can see in the following tracks:
Another cool thing about the 80's Metal scene was the memorial power Ballads. Most Bands would at least have one ballad on each album. Dark Sky is no exception to this rule as they have placed not one but two power ballads on their 'Initium' 2012 release. The two ballads are "I Swear" and "Eternity". Vocalist-Frank Breuninger and the band really know how to jazz up a power ballad with all the right hooks and progressive attitude to keep you coming back for more.
Guitars are handled by Steffen Doll who can shred with the best of them offering up plenty of driving Power Metal riffs with lots of variation. The guitar work of Steffen will motivate you and get you moving as there is plenty of energy to go around. His Power Metal riffs are not the light Euro fluff-variety neither are they the heavy-Western variety but are somewhere in between being the best of both worlds.
Claudio Nobile is the Keyboardist here and does a fine job of creating atmosphere for each and every tune on 'Initium'. To these ears, it sounds as though the symphonic touches are also produced on the Keys by Claudio. Sometimes, European Power Metal bands have a tendency to be a little too heavy on the Keyboards adding too much and overpowering the Guitars. But this is not the case here with 'Initium' as Claudio delivers just the right touch of ambiance to each tune allowing all other instruments to shine. Our keyboardist also roles out the piano on a few tracks adding even more variance to the album.
Uwe Mayer is our skin pounder and he does a great job of making his presence known on 'Initium'. When I first listened to Initium, I was using small speakers and there didn't appear to be any double bass pedal action but after hearing it on bigger speakers there's definitely some double bass added at certain moments. Uwe does a great job of keeping the tempo up beat throughout the album even when he's not using the pedal, bringing lots of energy to the mix.
Your going to find that the lyrics, in some spots, could use a little more development as the band is not singing in their native German language. However, those spots are few and far between and don't distract from the overall listening experience.
Lyrics are Christ centered and uplifting as you can see in the following tracks:
"You're Alive"
Tears were fallin' - Enough to realize all was in vain. Though my brothers told me you are back I still feel pain. Unless I see the scars of the nails in your wounded hands I won't believe my brothers have told me the truth. You're alive - You survived what a wonder. Lord I can't believe my eyes wanna taste this piece of paradise. You're alive - You survived. You're the savior, lord my place is by your side. What a shame to doubt, I must to confide. Doors were locked but you came in to change my mind eyes could see, but I needed a touch to remind. Unless I see the scars... |
"Food For A Million"
I wondered where to buy the food to feed these people. 5,000 men with hungry eyes we've got no stocks but a bad situation. But the Lord already knew what he would do I should have known Walking on the water, feeding all these people his wonder let us all believe. That he's the prophet who was to come into the world. We knew the way that we were taught to go. You see the signs beyond of your senses. Take the time to go for your chances and the Lord is by your side. Food for a million. Once we understand to feed ourselves. Food for a million - Right until the end of all our time. Whatever you make - Take food for your life! People still were grumbling 'cause Jesus kept them wondering. He told us he's the bread of life. It's hard to understand and harder to believe no matter if you're honest or a thief. You see the signs... food for a million... |
"Shout It Out"
Earthquake at the empty tomb and the stone was rolled away. Is it hope or is it gloom? We should wait another day. He has been raised from death and now he's on the way.
Shout it out - His love is never ending. Shout it out - it's worth believing. Shout it out - That he was not pretending. Shout it out - He is resurrected - Shout it out.
Although we were terrified we were full of joy and wonder. One touch of his deadly wounds and nothing could pull me under. In fact he scolded me I did believe he won't be back.
Shout it out...
We were gathered once again. Where we praised and where we prayed together. We could hear a strong wind blow when we were filled with holy spirit, holy spirit.
Shout it out...
Earthquake at the empty tomb and the stone was rolled away. Is it hope or is it gloom? We should wait another day. He has been raised from death and now he's on the way.
Shout it out - His love is never ending. Shout it out - it's worth believing. Shout it out - That he was not pretending. Shout it out - He is resurrected - Shout it out.
Although we were terrified we were full of joy and wonder. One touch of his deadly wounds and nothing could pull me under. In fact he scolded me I did believe he won't be back.
Shout it out...
We were gathered once again. Where we praised and where we prayed together. We could hear a strong wind blow when we were filled with holy spirit, holy spirit.
Shout it out...
Dark Sky seems to be a very underrated Metal band however, this is one that you will have a hard time taking out of your CD player once you give it spin. With this 2012 release, the band has shown that they are a power house that is not to be taken lightly.
Dark Sky comes highly recommended to fans of the Power Metal genre who like their Metal seasoned with 80's influences. If you like bands like Seventh Avenue, Divinefire or Desyre then I believe you will like Dark Sky as well.
Dark Sky comes highly recommended to fans of the Power Metal genre who like their Metal seasoned with 80's influences. If you like bands like Seventh Avenue, Divinefire or Desyre then I believe you will like Dark Sky as well.
Discography:
1986-Living In Eternity(Demo)
2000-'Believe it' - was released with two different versions an Asian version & European version each comes with there own artwork
2002-Edge of Time
2002-In my Mind (Maxi-Single)
2005-Living and Dying
2008-Empty Faces
2012-Initium
1986-Living In Eternity(Demo)
2000-'Believe it' - was released with two different versions an Asian version & European version each comes with there own artwork
2002-Edge of Time
2002-In my Mind (Maxi-Single)
2005-Living and Dying
2008-Empty Faces
2012-Initium
Musicians:
Frank Breuninger - Vocals
Steffen Doll - Guitars
Claudio Nobile - Keyboards
Winny Zurek - Bass
Uwe Mayer - Drums
Frank Breuninger - Vocals
Steffen Doll - Guitars
Claudio Nobile - Keyboards
Winny Zurek - Bass
Uwe Mayer - Drums