Darkyra – “Life Force” | Progressive Rock Central.com

I found out about Darkyra because of their concert with one of my favorite metal bands Ammify. Ammify and Darkyra will be playing a concert together in Perth, Australia, to launch Darkyra’s new album Life Force, at Lyric’s Bar on the 30th of May. After reading about this on Facebook, I had to check out Darkyra’s music. And I liked it.

As their press release states, “Life Force is a cinematic, symphonic metal album by the Australian band Darkyra, the third release from Gina Baile under the Darkyra brand, and the third album she has worked on with drummer and producer Garry King. The band is made up of: Gina Bafile, on lead vocals; Garry King, on drums, percussion , loops, and backing vocals; Fab Jablonski, on keyboards and synths; Gus Mansur on guitars; and Maaz Manik and Lucio Manca on bass. The album explores the light and dark aspects of human nature, told through a series of songs that delve into both the inner and outer demons of the human experience. The album explores the duality of human nature, embracing both the light and dark sides, and the push and pull between them. It also reflects on themes of aging, loss, and the fading of life force. The album blends 80s rock influences with gothic and progressive rock, while maintaining a semi-metal sound”.

The band is made up of a collaborative effort between Gina Bafile (vocals, songwriting) and Garry King (drumming, producing, arranging), who have worked together for a decade. The album was produced and mixed at La Foret Studio in France. Darkyra began in 2012 as the solo project of vocalist Gina Bafile under the pseudonym Darkyra Black. In 2015 Darkyra began to play live shows in Australia. Darkyra has released two full length albums, Dragon Tears released in 2014 and Fool released 2015. The albums feature a long line of supportive and collaborative talent uniting both Australian musicians and European musicians in the effort to propel the music forward to audiences all over the world.

“Life Force”, opens with a dreamy introduction and Gina Bafile singing, “Following your heart will allow the universe to bring you lifeforce!” The golden, lead electric guitars, powerful drums and some cool spacey synths and keyboards, along with bass, set the stage and the table for some powerful music and lyrics. Gina sings, “Wasted time, all the waiting for, what for and why? When the path was clear all along in my mind. And oceans divide. Yet the magic somehow still alive. I feel your lifeforce shaking me inside”. She sounds a little like Simone Simons or Charlotte Wessels, with a deeper voice range. This title track may be the best track on the album. It is a fantastic show and album opener. The supporting choirs add more cinematic magic to the soundscape.

“Take Me Far Away”, is the second best song on the album. It is a great journey song, full of symphonic choirs with Gina’s voice lighting the way. Fab Jablonski’s keyboard and synth playing takes this music above the normal metal music you may hear daily. Gus Mansur’s bold guitar playing is also a band and album highlight.

“Breathe”, is a real showcase for Gina’s vocals. Her voice rises about the softer lead electric guitar and surrounding keys. She asks us to “Show me how to breathe again”. The heavier lead electric guitar that enters later helps to take this song deeper and a little darker.

“All in Good Time”, is a good showcase for Fab Jabloski’s keyboards and synths. Gina also lights up this song with brilliant soprano like vocals. The keyboard soling on this track is one of my favorites, along with the choruses that light the stage with flames of sound.

“One Foot in the Grave”, opens with stellar keyboards and grunging electric metal guitar. Gina’s gothic vocal delivery is so powerful and alluring. Gina delivers some of her most lofty vocals, with that wonderful gothic chorus, amidst strong drumming. Another keeper!

“Tomorrow Without You”, opens with the sound of water and some wonderful intricate electric lead guitar, supported well with keyboards. This is another of the best songs on the album. The keyboards and guitar playing dominate this wonderful song. Gina tells the sad story, set to wonderful music. Very dramatic and symphonic sounds vibrate throughout the soundscape.

“Quiet the Mind”, opens with powerful lead electric guitar and keys. Gina’s voice takes front stage again. With the slow gothic roll of her voice, the sound becomes melodramatic and brooding.

“Leap Before You Die”, is probably the heaviest and darkest of the songs on the album. The midway keyboard solo is also one of the best on the album. But it is the pulsating electric guitars that control most of this song.

“Tested the Water”, opens with heavy electric guitar, bass and drums. Gina sings, “Stand up and see me”. A straight ahead rocker with power guitars, drums and supporting keyboards.

“Celebrity Smile”, opens with beautiful keyboards, full of light. The keyboard and synth symphony continues as lead electric guitar, bass, and drums join in to build the soundscape. This an epic closer, much like I was hoping to hear. Gina’s deep gothic vocal rises with her lyrics, “Images and words. Normalize the lies. Are we hypnotized. Based on a conditioned mind. In a virtual word. Was it a drawn up plan”. Yes, the influence of artificial intelligence. An epic song warning us about the coming challenges before us. Technology and slaves to the limelight. Gina closes, “She gave it all away for a celebrity smile”. The keyboard soling is wonderfully intense. Over 8 minutes of power metal.

Darkyra’s Life Force is an interesting surprise discovery. I am thankful for Ammify for choosing to join Darkyra for this album release party. I am sure that party will be full of great metal music. Life Force is full of the explanations and reality of forces found on both sides of the dark and light side of life. The album cover and music videos are a wonderful surprise and gift to fans. Give Darkyra’s Life Force your time and concentration and you may have found another new band from Australia to follow.