Darkyra (AUSTRALIA)

[Horex]

Darkyra - Dragon Tears (2013)











Year : 2013
Style : Symphonic Metal , Gothic Metal
Country : Australia
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 109 mb

Bio:

Darkyra initially began it's roots as the solo project of Australian singer / songstress Gina Bafile, under the pseudonym 'Darkyra Black' in 2012. The project was a collaboration between Garry King - Drums, Fab Jablonski - Keyboards, Paul Jupe - Guitar, Betovani - Bass, George Boussounis - Arrangements and various other session musicians employed through the Greek Production Company, Online Recording Masters. The musicians were all based in Europe and the music had a strong cinematic vibe sometimes bordering on Progressive rock and Gothic Metal. After the successful release and rave reviews of two high production studio albums, Darkyra Black was thrown into the spotlight as a strong emerging artist within the world of female fronted metal and rock.It was through the company ‘Online Recording Masters’ based in Athens Greece that Darkyra Black (Gina Bafile), found the musicians for what was to become her very first record called ‘Dragon Tears’. Music Arranger George Boussounis formed an introduction with drummer/producer Garry King (Jeff Beck, Joe Lynn Turner) and ideas for the concept started to evolve between the three. Three additional members were brought in to join the ranks of the Darkyra Black team for the 2013 recordings, guitarist’s Paul Jupe,Betovani Dinelli, and keyboard player Fab Jablonski. The first Darkyra Black track prior to the full album release came out on an official video for the single ‘Tears by Candlelight’ in 2013 generating much interest in the full record. "Dragon Tears" a concept album based on a Gothic interpretation of a geisha like tale that ends in tragedy, love, loss, lust, betrayal and revenge, was released in February 2014, and built instant critical acclaim internationally as a fine blend of symphonic/gothic metal with powerful vocal performances and progressive/classic rock elements of traditional pentatonic music with an overall ‘Cinematic’ sound and feel.“All eleven numbers here are different but are very fluent and offer up musical highlights galore, too numerous to mention, ensure you keep the CD in the player to the VERY end. To summarise, Darkyra is Dark, Passionate and Edgy and demonstrating fine vocal prowess” With the first record under her belt and amazing reviews it was time to set the scene and start the next stage of creating songs and music for a second follow up album and plan ahead for live shows and touring. In January 2014 even before Dragon Tears was officially released, Darkyra had already started work on 15 new track ideas ready for an April studio sessions deadline in the historic city of Athens. With George and Garry being based in Europe plans where laid for the three with guitarist Betovani and Keyboard player Fab Jablonski to start work recording drums, guitars, guide keys and main vocal parts for what should be the most amazing and powerful follow up record in the Darkyra history.'Fool' was released late 2015. Again with a very strong story line, searing string sections and memorable melodies, vocal performances and songs. The record will surely prove that Darkyra Black has set a standard very hard to beat and certainly hard to ignore both lyrically and musically.Shortly after the release of the second album fool in 2015, Gina Bafile performed the very first show in hometown Perth with Australian musicians and the first ever Darkyra Tour was scheduled for Netherlands/ Germany, April 2016. Unfortunately, things didn't go to plan and the tour was cancelled due to Gina's diagnosis with breast cancer. Darkyra was put on hold indefinitely. April 28, 2018, Gina Bafile and Kim Siragusa, performed as a duo of Vocals and Piano in support of Jamie Paige's 'Dark Universe' Album Launch held at Badlands Bar in Perth, Western Australia. Sadly, things didn't continue much further as the majority of former band members had moved onto other projects leaving the future of Darkyra uncertain. Late 2023 the urge to create new music and pick up where things left off was made possible with the reconnection of drummer and long time friend Garry King (La Foret Groupe France) along with music colleagues Lucio Manca, Fab Jablonski and Gus Mansur. New collaborations were underway for a third album titled 'Life-Force', an album that would further forge the unity of both Australian and European musicians. Music that wouldn't pigeon hole Darkyra to one particular style...music that would continue to be emotion driven and eclectic in nature. Surrounded by a strong cast of Perth Talent for live shows, 20th April 2024 was Darkyra's return opening the 10th Anniversary of Metal United Downunder Festival at the Milk Bar in Perth.

Album:

"Dragon Tears" is the first Darkyra Black album released February 2014. The album is a concept based on a Gothic interpretation of a geisha like tale that ends in tragedy. Love, loss, lust, betrayal and revenge. The music is a fine blend of symphonic metal, Gothic metal, epic metal and progressive rock with elements of traditional pentatonic music and an overall cinematic feel.It's no secret that I love female-fronted Metal of most any stripe so a Gothic Metal album with Japanese folk instruments and melodies certainly piqued my interest. Information about vocalist and band namesake Darkyra Black is not easy to come by with little hint of her history before she joined the lineup of the multi-national Power Metal band Achillea in 2013. Dragon Tears is her first full-length solo album after the digital-only release of the single Tears By Candlelight in 2013. Enough with the history, let's get to the music.As I stated, this is Gothic Metal at heart with plenty of keyboards, emotive vocal lines and a story of love, murder and revenge. The guitars have a nice sound but are not the main focus and while this album was touted as featuring Japanese traditional pentatonic music, its presence was quite subtle. I'm not a musician and that may explain why I missed it, but there were only a few spots where I could discern anything different or unique on Dragon Tears. Basically, the album sounded a lot like the recent releases from Tristania, Imperia and the like. As for the vocals, Black can certainly sing but comparisons to the Turunens and Jansens of the world are stretching it a bit. She has a distinct, warbling vibrato that, to my ears, clashed with the music on Dragon Tears a lot. There are some nice moments on the album, with "Slither" being a highlight. This song has a dark, atmospheric melody and powerful chorus. The rest of the album, though, is rather dull with Black's somewhat conflicting vocal style dragging it down even further.There are some good reviews of Dragon Tears out there but it doesn't deliver on any of the hype. Maybe I'm missing something but there are a number of Gothic Metal albums I'd take over this new one from Darkyra Black.

Line Up:

Gina Bafile alias Darkyra Black- vocals

+ guests:

Garry King - Drums, Fabinho Jablonski - Keyboards & Samples
Paul Jupe - Guitar, Betovani Dinelli - Bass
Guest Guitarist - 'Kiss of the Dragon' & 'Dragon Tears'

Strings:
Michael Porfyris - cello, Ilias Sdoukos - Viola, Laertis Kokolanis - Violin
'Madoka's Lament', 'Eyes Wide Shut', 'Before I Wither'
'Slither', 'Truth or Dare' & 'Never Know'

Acoustic Guitar:
Dimitris Barbagalas - 'Eyes Wide Shut'

Production:

'Madoka's Lament' originally composed by Sean Bernard 2011, Additional Lyrics and Vocal Melody by Darkyra Black. All vocals recorded by Darkyra Black DB Studio Perth Australia with the exception of 'Madoka's Lament' which was part recorded at Satellite Studio Perth. Madoka's Lament', 'Eyes Wide Shut', 'Before I Wither','Slither', 'Truth or Dare' & 'Never Know' arranged & exclusively produced by George Boussounis Online Recording Masters Athens. Album co produced by Garry King La Foret Groupe France, George Boussounis & Darkyra Black. Mixed and Engineered by Garry King. Mastered by George Boussounis. All songs aside from 'Madoka's Lament' written by Darkyra Black. Additional backup vocals 'Tears by Candlelight' & 'Slither' by Paul Jupe and Garry King.

Tracklist:

01. Madoka's Lament
02. Eyes Wide Shut
03. Lullaby Of Death
04. Japanese Frankenstein
05. Slither
06. Before I Wither
07. Never Know
08. Cold Cold Stone
09. Kiss Of The Dragon
10. Tears By Candlelight
11. Dragon Tears




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Darkyra - Fool (2015)











Year : 2015
Style : Art Metal , Cinematic Symphonic Metal , Female vocals
Country : Australia
Audio : 320 kbps + front + Video
Size : 144 mb

Bio:

Darkyra initially began it's roots as the solo project of Australian singer / songstress Gina Bafile, under the pseudonym 'Darkyra Black' in 2012. The project was a collaboration between Garry King - Drums, Fab Jablonski - Keyboards, Paul Jupe - Guitar, Betovani - Bass, George Boussounis - Arrangements and various other session musicians employed through the Greek Production Company, Online Recording Masters. The musicians were all based in Europe and the music had a strong cinematic vibe sometimes bordering on Progressive rock and Gothic Metal. After the successful release and rave reviews of two high production studio albums, Darkyra Black was thrown into the spotlight as a strong emerging artist within the world of female fronted metal and rock.It was through the company ‘Online Recording Masters’ based in Athens Greece that Darkyra Black (Gina Bafile), found the musicians for what was to become her very first record called ‘Dragon Tears’. Music Arranger George Boussounis formed an introduction with drummer/producer Garry King (Jeff Beck, Joe Lynn Turner) and ideas for the concept started to evolve between the three. Three additional members were brought in to join the ranks of the Darkyra Black team for the 2013 recordings, guitarist’s Paul Jupe,Betovani Dinelli, and keyboard player Fab Jablonski. The first Darkyra Black track prior to the full album release came out on an official video for the single ‘Tears by Candlelight’ in 2013 generating much interest in the full record. "Dragon Tears" a concept album based on a Gothic interpretation of a geisha like tale that ends in tragedy, love, loss, lust, betrayal and revenge, was released in February 2014, and built instant critical acclaim internationally as a fine blend of symphonic/gothic metal with powerful vocal performances and progressive/classic rock elements of traditional pentatonic music with an overall ‘Cinematic’ sound and feel.“All eleven numbers here are different but are very fluent and offer up musical highlights galore, too numerous to mention, ensure you keep the CD in the player to the VERY end. To summarise, Darkyra is Dark, Passionate and Edgy and demonstrating fine vocal prowess” With the first record under her belt and amazing reviews it was time to set the scene and start the next stage of creating songs and music for a second follow up album and plan ahead for live shows and touring. In January 2014 even before Dragon Tears was officially released, Darkyra had already started work on 15 new track ideas ready for an April studio sessions deadline in the historic city of Athens. With George and Garry being based in Europe plans where laid for the three with guitarist Betovani and Keyboard player Fab Jablonski to start work recording drums, guitars, guide keys and main vocal parts for what should be the most amazing and powerful follow up record in the Darkyra history.'Fool' was released late 2015. Again with a very strong story line, searing string sections and memorable melodies, vocal performances and songs. The record will surely prove that Darkyra Black has set a standard very hard to beat and certainly hard to ignore both lyrically and musically.Shortly after the release of the second album fool in 2015, Gina Bafile performed the very first show in hometown Perth with Australian musicians and the first ever Darkyra Tour was scheduled for Netherlands/ Germany, April 2016. Unfortunately, things didn't go to plan and the tour was cancelled due to Gina's diagnosis with breast cancer. Darkyra was put on hold indefinitely. April 28, 2018, Gina Bafile and Kim Siragusa, performed as a duo of Vocals and Piano in support of Jamie Paige's 'Dark Universe' Album Launch held at Badlands Bar in Perth, Western Australia. Sadly, things didn't continue much further as the majority of former band members had moved onto other projects leaving the future of Darkyra uncertain. Late 2023 the urge to create new music and pick up where things left off was made possible with the reconnection of drummer and long time friend Garry King (La Foret Groupe France) along with music colleagues Lucio Manca, Fab Jablonski and Gus Mansur. New collaborations were underway for a third album titled 'Life-Force', an album that would further forge the unity of both Australian and European musicians. Music that wouldn't pigeon hole Darkyra to one particular style...music that would continue to be emotion driven and eclectic in nature. Surrounded by a strong cast of Perth Talent for live shows, 20th April 2024 was Darkyra's return opening the 10th Anniversary of Metal United Downunder Festival at the Milk Bar in Perth.

Album:

Darkyra Black, otherwise known as vocalist Gina Bafile, made quite the impression upon the female-fronted melodic symphonic metal genre with last year's Dragon Tears. Though not my first go-to genre, I liked it and said so in my review. Ms. Bafile returns with her second album, via Athens and many European musicians, Fool.The album basically picks up where the previous left off. It's another concept album about, in the words of Bafile, "the people seen come and go at the fountain of wishes, the fountain built for kings and queens of the past. The songs are a behind the scenes look into their lives and their foolish obsessions." Sounds rather nebulous to me. I'm guessing the CD booklet and lyrics may be necessary to catch the meaning.The album is also another powerhouse of melodic symphonic metal, of some cinematic quality. The entire album, the Darkyra Black sound, is large and expansive led, of course, by Bafile's demonstrably strong and versatile voice. One of the best aspects of their sound is that Bafile doesn't depend upon, nor pigeon hole herself, into a certain style. She swings easily from the basic rock singer to the operatic diva. I don't know about you, but I get tired of the screechy 80 octave range of the latter.After this, Bafile knows how to put together some musically interesting songs. It's unclear as to whether she composes or arranges the music alone. I suspect she has an "ace-in-the-hole" with the large musician cast and production staff to help her along. Of particular interest are those songs where all the bombastic symphonic metal gets merged with some hard rock groove and accessibility like Who Are They To Judge You, Truth Or Dare, or The Wish That Never Fades. That last song is an example of Bafile's blended voice, becomeing the operatic rock singer. And while most songs feature her voice, some songs seem led entirely so. One is Flawless, if not in the first half, before combined with riffs and groove. Another is Desperation, which has her voice with piano sparring with large crashing riffs and orchestra elements. Not to give away the whole, but a final song of interest is Bleed. It offers those immense riffs and symphonic elements but turns on some subtle piano and a catchy refrain in the first. Then in the latter half, with Bafile in duet with a male vocalist where that melodic chorus broadens. This, in turn, is followed by a very traditional hard rock guitar solos. It's easily one of my favorite songs.I suppose, for some, the question remains, Is Fool better than it's predecessor? The answer is probably that it's a continuation of the same. The melodic symphonic music will always be the context for Bafile and Darkyra Black and, in this sense, they do it very, very well. Alternatively, as in the past and present, all things in the future will likely be the same. So far, so good.

Line Up:

Gina Bafile alias Darkyra Black- vocals
Dave Lyon - Guitar
Mario Schmack - Bass
Dion Italiano - Drums
Kim Siragusa - Keyboard
backup vocals & violin - Chrissie Mavrofridis
Garry King-Drums, Betovani - Guitar, Fab Jablonski - Keyboards. Additional musicians: George Boussounis - Keyboard/samples/arrangment, Michael Porfyris -Cello, Ilias Sdoukos -Viola, Laertis Kokolanis - Violin

Tracklist:

01. Behind Closed Doors, Pt.2
02. Who Are They To Judge You
03. Truth Or Dare
04. Of Fools And Gold
05. Where Will I Be
06. Bleed
07. The Wish Never Fades
08. Desperation
09. Flawless
10. It Takes All Kinds Of Fools
11. The Fountain Of Frozen Dreams
12. Behind Closed Doors, Pt.1

+ Video "Tears By Candlelight" (Official Video)




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/