CALLING THE EARTH TO WITNESS

DARKWATER are a Swedish Prog-Metal band and this is their excellent debut released in 2007. Man i'm impressed with this band and album. In fact after the first four tracks I was thinking 5 stars but then it leveled off for me but it's still a very solid 4 stars. What is it with Sweden and Metal ? The bass player thanks Daniel Gildenlow and the gang. I like just about everything about this album, well except for the short ballad (haha). I love the way the keyboards are implimented and the singer has an excellent voice.They can rock hard or create atmosphere.

"2534167" is a short and strange intro. "All Eyes On Me" kicks in heavily rather quickly. As I mentioned earlier the keyboards are a nice touch and used so well here. Vocals around a minute as it settles. Contrasts continue. What a great sounding tune. Love the dark mood and also the uplifting chorus and those words "Don't stare. Don't stand so close". It kicks in hard after 5 1/2 minutes. "Again" is heavy duty to start. How good is this ! It settles with keys a minute in. So good as the guitar joins in. It's still heavy.Vocals before 2 minutes. I like that crunchy sound with vocals. A nice heavy sound after 6 1/2 minutes with background synths. "Habit" kicks in hard quickly.Vocals before 2 minutes. Lots of riffs here too. I like the calm after 4 minutes then it kicks back in as contrasts continue. Great sound 7 minutes in. An all out assault before 9 1/2 minutes. Piano only before 11 1/2 minutes then it kicks back in. Absolutely amazing up to this point.

"The Play-I" is a short ballad with fragile vocals and piano. Not a fan. "The Play- II" is much better.The tempo picks up when the vocals arrive.Vocals and piano only before 5 1/2 minutes as it continues to shift and change. Nice and heavy 7 minutes in. "Shattered" has a heavy intro then the synths take over. Heaviness is back ! Nice and crunchy as it settles in. Great tune but not as good as songs 2 to 4. "Tallest Tree" is heavy then piano only takes over before the heaviness returns.Vocals join in. Nice guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. Riffs follow. Piano only again before 5 minutes as themes are repeated. "In My Dreams" opens with keys then it kicks in heavily. Great sound here. We're galloping a minute in.Vocals follow as it settles some.Guitar solo before 4 1/2 minutes and piano comes in late.

A must for Prog-Metal fans and I can't wait to hear their latest.