The Gothic Metal genre is too often painted into a corner, with everyone stereotyping it with the idea of female singers and creepy looking guys wearing top hats crafting music suitable only for taking a nice long nap to. Yet, despite how many once great Gothic bands have gone alternative, one band has never been afraid to take the risk of making Gothic Metal interesting - and that band is Darkseed.
Though they began as a small band playing covers of various songs popular for the late 80's and early 90's period, Darkseed have since evolved and grown to become one of, if not the single
greatest Gothic Metal outfit to have ever existed.
Moving from a style of Death/Doom Metal on their first demos, "Sharing the Grave" (1992) and "Darksome Thoughts" (1993), Darkseed began to include more Gothic elements into their music with the release of their debut mCD, "Romantic Tales", in 1994, including violins, female singers, clean vocals, and a variety of other interesting elements, to make for a unique album. Two years later, the band would shed their typical Gothic Doom style and recreate themselves as a more upbeat, hard Rock band, yet all the while, still keeping the Romantic themes, lyrics and instrumentation which made their music so unique, and the result would come in the form of a Gothic masterpiece known as "Midnight Solemnly Dance". Relying more on the power of his clean voice than Death growls, vocalist Stefan Hertrich was able to make a powerful album, full of hooks, excellent guitar leads, classical elements, and overall fantastic songs.
Continuing on in a similar, yet slightly more straightforward style, the band's 1997 effort, "Spellcraft", provided for an overall heavier experience than it's predecessors. The band managed to increase their playing speed almost tenfold, demonstrating a quickness not yet seen on a Darkseed release, and proving that Gothic Metal didn't have to be just a bunch of senseless whining. Less classical elements found their way into the music, relying more on a straightout rocking sound, giving an excellent experience for many headbangers. Although, this album would see the use of one Gothic stereotype once more - the female vocals. The sound of a woman's voice filled "Spellcraft" more than any other Darkseed album before it, adding for a great contrast to the male lead vocals, and for excellent tempo changes within songs - "You Will Come" being an excellent example of this.
Not content with staying the same, Darkseed somehow managed to evolve and transcend their previous style once again, creating a dark, heartfelt release of an entirely different style than before; this vision would take shape in the face of 1999's "Give Me Light". In general, the songs slowed down, taking on a darker atmosphere with heavier, catchier songs, and paving the way for the band's future sound. Finally, the band released an album which seemed almost too perfect to exist in the Gothic Metal world; this album was one of epic proportions, exploring sadness and anger, among other emotions, in a variety of poetic and romantic ways. Whether it's the heavy opener "Forever Darkness" or the beautifully dark tune "Autumn", "Diving Into Darkness" (2000) created dark atmospheres with emotional, powerful lyrics and music.
Some would say all good things must come to an end, and this may be true, though certainly not of Darkseed. Three years passed before new music from the Darkseed camp, and then finally, "Astral Adventures" was released. Though it lacked the heaviness and passion of previous releases, and many would say the band stumbled, just as many would say that this is the band's best album, making for gorgeously dark atmospheres, and excellent music to listen to on a rainy day whilst staring out at the world through your window. Still boasting excellent hooks, "Astral Adventures" didn't receive as much attention as a Darkseed fan may have hoped. However, it did open the window for something much more promising.
Founding member and mainman Stefan Hertrich departed the band, being temporarily replaced by Christoph Puhr-Westerheide (Mislead) for several concerts. Some had lost hope in Darkseed at this point, while others were excited to see what this new line up would bring. However, no new material would be written by that line up, as a bit over a year later, Stefan Hertrich would make his return to Darkseed, looking completely refreshed and reborn. Almost immediately going to work, the band recruted a few new members to fill out the line up, and began to work on their latest full length, "Ultimate Darkness". While many bands grow softer of the years, Darkseed's "Ultimate Darkness" proves to be one of the heaviest albums in all of Darkseed's career. Summoning back elements from all around Darkseed's long career, the new album manages to create catchy, heavy songs of a wide array of styles, never getting boring, and each song having elements to make any seasoned Darkseed fan smirk in remembrance of earlier times.
Stefan Hertrich and Martin Motnik left the band for some time and Darkseed broke up, but now the band has reformed with Harald Winkler on lead vocals and enjoyed a great reunion show. Looking towards the future, Darkseed are planning a new album, so stay tuned!
Stefan Hertrich, one of the founders of Darkseed and the long time singer, departed the band but is continuing to make music. If you'd like to keep up to date on his new projects, go check out Shiva In Exile's new album, "Nour", or the previously released "Pulse" by Spi-Ritual!
INFOS und VORVERKAUF? Alles zu finden auf www.DAH-FESTIVAL.de WAS NOCH? Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult stellen wohl zum ersten Mal im süddeutschen Raum ein neues Live-Programm mit reichlich Material vom "Saldorian Spell"-Album vor!
Wenn ihr Lust habt, dann könnt ihr ja mal bei http://www.musikerVZ.cc vorbeischauen. Der Treffpunkt für Musiker bietet eigene Profile mit eigenen Songs, Kleinanzeigen und einen Eventkalender.
Hallo Freunde der gediegenen Rockmusik. Wir möchten euch zu unserer nächsten Show am Freitag 13.11. im Erdbeerblau in Osnabrück einladen. Also wenn ihr Lust darauf habt mit uns die Hölle zu rocken, schaut einfach vorbei! Bis dann Gruß Jackie & Your Hands Divine
Das Jahr 2009 neigt sich dem Ende. Das Studio brennt.
Stoapfälzer Spitzbuam Live CD fertig Violet Moon kurz vor der Fertigstellung Rockn Rodeo Livemittschnitt in Arbeit Radiodeath stehen auf der Matte Ingrimm ... zuletzt noch in Wacken - Im Dezember schon im Studio
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
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