Cruz Del Sur Music [Release date – out now]
I caught Darkest Era live last year as support to Gloryhammer in Glasgow and, whilst they put on a good show, I did mark them down for playing quite a few unfamiliar new numbers which saw a lull in proceedings. The new tracks have now emerged on Severance and I can guarantee that many are destined to become live favourites.
The album starts in quiet fashion with an acoustic intro to ‘Sorrow’s Boundless Realm’ and then all hell breaks loose! Thunderous drumming and huge riffs are the band’s bread and butter and it is all held together with their Celtic influenced melodies which show the band’s love of Thin Lizzy and Irish folk music.
‘Songs Of God and Men’ follows in a similar vein before ‘The Serpent And The Shadow’ shows the band’s other big influence, featuring great twin guitar work, early Iron Maiden.
The pace slows for ‘Beyond The Grey Veil’ which gives Krum on vocals a chance to shine. His melancholic voice is well suited to the doomy nature of the band’s music. We are soon back to full throttle for ‘Trapped In The Hourglass’ which again brings the twin guitar work of Ade Mulgrew and Sarah Weighell to the fore.
The track of the album for me is the epic closing track ‘Blood, Sand and Stone’ which clocks in at over eight minutes and ebbs and flows like a turbulent river. This track gives all players a chance to shine, which they all grab with both hands, and shows off the band’s songwriting prowess.
This is Darkest Era’s second album and shows what a talent they are, great songs coupled with great playing throughout. There is little doubt in my mind that the next time our paths cross in a live setting the crowd will be bigger, more enthusiastic and singing along with every word. ****
Review by David Wilson
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
