Darkest Era
We are proud to premiere “The Morrigan”, the first track from Darkest Era’s The Last Caress of Light.
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“The Morrigan”
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Northern Ireland’s Darkest Era is one of Alan Averill’s (aka Nemtheanga, whom we interviewed here and here) first signings to Metal Blade in an A&R capacity. (See press release here.) Now that Metal Blade has signed Pentagram, Ghost, and Hammers of Misfortune, and Averill has brought aboard Darkest Era and Sweden’s Portrait, the label has some heavy metal backbone again.
The Last Caress of Light may be the first great metal album of 2011. It’s so good, it gives me chills. Great names come to mind: Primordial, Slough Feg, Grand Magus. The band’s Irish roots come through loud and clear, shot through with the spirit of classic heavy metal.
“The Morrigan” isn’t even the best song here; it’s just what Metal Blade wanted premiered. The Last Caress of Light is one anthem after another, culminating in a magnificent 11-minute finale that’s the best heavy metal I’ve heard in ages. This is deep, strong music, and it comes out February 15 on Metal Blade (pre-order it here
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Pretty cool track, I’ll be keeping an eye on this album. Definitely sounds Irish.
I’m liking this a lot. Thanks for the heads up! Great musicianship and songwriting.
This is indeed a great track, and it’s so refreshing to hear some actual human singing – by which I mean, the melodic vocal lines are so bent and fluid that you’d be hard-pressed to improve this with studio-fuckery, so it sounds real and authentic.
This redone version sounds like it received the fucking Suecof treatment. Aside from a bit better drum tone whoever mixed this new version should be ashamed of themselves for taking a song that had excellent raw atmosphere and grit and polishing it into a shapeless, overproduced, shiny turd. I like the old version a lot better… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGCk9sXkySw
I sincerely hope you’re right about this not being one of the better songs on the album Cosmo, because if the rest sound like this I’ll be severely disappointed in Metal Blade for wasting the talents of Ade and company.
Made the mistake of following the internet breadcrumbs. That guitar player there is going to be an absolute light in the future of the future and a huge crush for many, many, many young boys (and girls) in the years to come.
Band sounds promising. Hmmm……
I don’t normally like this type of music but this is seriously good.
“the Mulligan” woulda been a better song title.
I’ve known them from the 2 previous ep’s (this song opened the second one and had much more impact on the original version) and they are absolutely wonderful. I’m eager to hear the full album.
I totally agree with you re: this album, Cosmo. It’s fantastic and this first song is the band at its best. The video is pretty corny, though.
Hmmm… yeah, I’m digging this. It’s a pity that it’s not showing up in Metal Blade’s iPool for me, because I’d love to hear the rest of the album.
I don’t know, man. This kinda thing is usually my speed but I wasn’t feeling most of this song. It went on way too long and the vocals had kind of a ‘hot topic’ doom vibe. The whole thing kinda had this darkest hour/killswitch engage meets a gothy candlemass thing going on. The dual guitars at the end were pretty cool but the production sounded weak. The vocals sounded too high in the mix and it didn’t have that classic analog sound that suits this style best. It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve heard but I think there is so much better when it comes to this style: Valkyrie, Lord Vicar, Witchcraft, Horisont etc….
This is fucking awesome.
Hey deseee,
Sorry to disappoint. Metal Blade doesn’t control the creative process or anything bands do in the studio. The album was recorded at Foel Studios in Wales at the end of August 2010 with producer Chris Fielding.
I’m glad the rest of you seem to enjoy something a little bit different!
Count me impressed. It sounds a bit like a product of an alternate universe where the staff of Primordial had been replaced by Bullet For My Valentine. Or the other way around. Whatever.
Excellent sense of pacing. I think what I’m about to say is sad because if anything, it should be a norm – it’s actually refreshing to hear songs so graciously evolving from within. You know, letting melody, harmony and motion properly grow and define the song instead of resorting to ‘grand gestures’ and smoke and mirrors to glue constituents together and do what actual songwriting should. Gracious, confident and boldly elaborated.
“Tickle me prostate!”
Eh, the song is OK. A little too “Pop” for me. Guitar work is decent and singing is alright. I like the little Irish-influence this song does have. Band has potential, however I’m not banking on Metal Blade any time soon…
I’m liking this quite a bit, but I’m even more liking Nemtheanga’s clout with MetalBlade. Portrait are an AMAZING band that deserve some more attention (though I still wish they had their old singer).
Dude, Cosmo, I can’t stop listening to this song…I love the vocals…good stuff
@Deseee: you’re right, although both versions are excellent because the song is strong, the older is more raw and better, imho…
Really love it! This is the first I’ve heard of Darkest Era (someone posted the link to this on Facebook) and I can’t wait to get the album now.
I’m loving this. Awesome!
I do agree that the original version sounds more raw than this, and I do prefer it. That said, I’m much more familiar with that version, and I do still love this. I’m sure a slight period of adjustment is all that’s needed! Really looking forward to this release…
Yeah…this kinda sounds hollow. Really overproduced. Dude’s got some pipes and I’m not usually one for clean vocals either. So they got that going for them.
It’s not “different” its just “bad”
This really reminds me of the Norwegian band SAHG, but only with a little bit of the Irish folk trad. It will go well with the German wave of signing of pagan/folk bands.