Darkest Era -

\r\n   This Irish quintet started as Nemesis in 2005 but they changed later their monicker into Darkest Era and in 2008 they release their debut EP "The Journey Through Damnation". They describe their own music as Celtic Metal, but their music sounds more of a traditional heavy metal band although there are audible Celtic influences. Primordial’s Alan A. Nemtheanga himself hails them as "the greatest Traditional Heavy Metal record ever from an Irish band." And it’s true that the songs contain a strong NWOBHM flare but at the same time with a dark and epic edge to them, sounding like a mixture between Jag Panzer, Viking-era Bathory and recent Primordial while there are also some isolated Doom Metal passages.
\r\n   Their vocalist Rigani Dwayne "Krum" Maguire has a very clear and strong voice, with a pure tendence towards the classical Heavy Metal direction supporting the epicness of the songs really well. The opener "The Morrigan" is a really great song about the goddess from Irish mythology who is associated with sovereignty, prophecy, war and death on the battlefield while "Visions of the Dawn" which follows lasting over 7 minutes is the longest track of the EP, but unfortunately to me it sounded rather like a second, poor copy of "The Morrigan" and with the calm part in the middle of the song reminding no one else than their fellow countrymen Primordial. The next song "Another World Awaits" is the first track of the album that can really boast the Folk tag, with a clear folkish approach and the contribution of Elvenking’s Elyghen with a violin in the background. The last song "On The Crest Of Doom" is the fastest of the album with a driving rhythm, a classic heavy metal riffage and an epic aura to be concluded with another small tribute to Primordial’s dark sound.
\r\n   Overall I really enjoyed this album. I think these guys have great potential although "The Journey Through Damnation" is a rather small piece of work so I expect greater things from their full-length release. Fans of epic heavy metal with Viking, folk and Celtic influences should check them out.\r\n

\r\n

\r\nVaso Prassa \r\n

\r\n

\r\nDARKEST ERA - "The Morrigan"  \r\n

\r\n

\r\n