Distant Tides

So a few months ago I saw an extremely positive review for this album on the internet. From the description it sounded cool, so I went ahead and listened to this. And I'm extremely impressed. It's an excellent album, and I sincerely hope that this band keeps making more material (they have 2 albums out now). Now then, onto the details.

The album starts out with the song We Will Never Die. It's a fun song, although a bit generic. It's surprising that this was made by an American, since this sounds like something that's more likely to come from a German power metal band. But anyways, once the song is done, this album really begins to get good.

The next three songs are the high point of the album. They have some of the best riffs, vocals, and solos on this entire album. And while I have little taste in drumming, it really stands out for me on these three tracks, so that's something to look forward to. 2 of these songs, Distant Tides and A Soul Divided, have growling included making these tracks stick out a bit on the album. The growls are used extremely well. They never feel forced or out of place. Especially on Distant Tides, where as the growling is about to end, the singer comes in providing an excellent transition. These two songs probably have some of the best use of mixed vocals that I've heard in a long time. The other song of these three is The Alchemist, It's a catchy generic power metal tune, and is actually really awesome despite how generic it sounds. It also has an excellent solo. Probably the best one on the album, and it provides a great transition from We Will Never Die to A Soul Divided.

Now, the end of this album sadly sinks in quality from the excellent three tracks in the middle. There's two songs left, one of them an instrumental. The instrumental track (called The Final Vision) really just drags out far too long, which is a shame because it's the last song on the album. It's really never good to end an album with a boring song that is in need of severe of shortening. And the other song, Northern Sky, is good fun, but with the greatness of the middle songs, it feels like the band just got lazy and just wanted to end the album. Which is a shame because the album is so short.

And this really is the greatest weakness of the album. It's only got 6 songs. When you listen to the whole thing, and it finishes you think "that's it?" It's good, and when its so short it makes you want so much more than this, which is why i knocked 10% off the rating.

In a sub-genre in which so many of its practitioners forget to inject any aggression into their music, this is Power Metal with actual Power in it. Dark Empire is a project assembled by New York guitarist Matt Moliti, and its debut release is a welcome contribution to the genre.

Moliti demonstrates himself here to be a multi-dimensional guitarist and composer. His rhythms are thrashy, yet he is able to move seamlessly between heavy riffs, melodic leads, and virtuoso solos. He is obviously well-studied in his craft, as the influences detectable in music are numerous and varied – Kirk Hammett riffs, Brian May leads, Randy Rhoads classicism. However none of these dominate, and the result will please a wide spectrum of fans.

The arrangements and mix are well-done, especially when considering that the band members all recorded their parts each in their own corner of the world and sent them to Moliti in New York, where he assembled the final product. The resulting mix contains all of the hallmarks of Power Metal, without getting bogged down. The keyboards are evident but not overbearing, and they deliver the desired atmosphere. The drums are pounding and up front. The vocals are clean but not overly operatic.

The vocals in fact represent one of the strongest characteristics of this release. Vocalist Jens Carlsson is a veteran of Persuader and Savage Circus fame. As good as his work was with those two bands, he has surpassed himself here. Unlike those previous works, in which Carlsson was typically singing in the high end of his range, here the vocals are firmly entrenched in the middle and lower tones, an area that much better suits the music on this release.

The songwriting is strong, but does vary a little. Tracks like "The Alchemist," and the title track represent the strongest entries, and the other tracks only barely fail to meet same standard. The closing instrumental “The Final Vision” displays the full spectrum of Moliti’s talent on guitar. However, opener "We Will Never Die" comes a little too close to some of the cheesier metal anthems of the 1980's.

This release will appeal to fans of thrashier Power Metal in the vein of Iced Earth. Calsson's vocals alone make this worth checking out, and Moliti's guitar work set this apart. These, combined with the songwriting and production, make Distant Tides an album that gets everything right.

This is the highly anticipated new release from guitar wizard Matt Moliti due out April 25th; distributed through CDInzane. There are several bands named Dark Empire spanning the globe; but this American band features an all star line-up. Jens Carlsson of Persuader & Savage Circus serves as the mercurial vocalist, Noah Martin of Lilitu emulates Steve DiGiorgio on the bass strings, and fusion drummer Teemu Tahkanen hammers the skins.

Matt Moliti is a relatively unknown guitarist in the metal mileu, who endeavors to really establish himself with this release. He was tutored by guitar god Joe Stump at the prestigious Berklee College of Music where he learned to maintain his musical integrity for every genre of metal. He formed Dark Empire in 2004 with several influences in mind. He wanted to combine deathrash stylings with a neo-classical bent. Picture Michael Romeo (Symphony X) or Toby Knapp (Onward) with Eric Petersen (Testament & DragonLore), cancer victim James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Disincarnate) & the spiritually healed soul sadly taken from us: Chuck Shuldiner (Death, Slaughter, Control Denied).

His first attempt to create a unique band apart from the myriad of "cookie cutter" groups, was in hiring Jens Carlsson who had established himself as an amazingly talented vocalist, even if he did have a proclivityy for channelling Hansi Kursch. On this CD, though, Jens sheds all Blind Guardian comparisons and sings in a manner and range quite unlike what he has performed in the past. On several songs he evokes the baritone effect which Chuck Billy made famous in the early 90's on thrashin' releases like Testament's 'Low'. His vocal histrionics range from semi- high to semi -harsh; yet he is still easily understood and clear enough to discern all lyrical themes.

This CD is relatively terse in length and barely 37 minutes with only 6 tracks averaging 5-6 minutes each. Yet, there is not a weak song present. Tracks like "The alchemist" & "Northern sky" are real burners with killer guitar solos and harmonizing. The last track "The final vision" is an exceptional instrumental. The guitar work reminds me of Vinnie Moore or Joe Satriani with some crushing drums added to the mix. It begins with a ominious hollow chant that reminds me of the penultimate scene from Jim Henson's "The dark crystal". Then it shifts into gear with some punishing rhythms and sweet solos. I can tolerate an instrumental on a CD, but never for too long. "The final vision", is an exception as it really shows the talent and strength of this band.

This CD is neither progressive nor power metal. The keyboards are used conservatively, creating sufficient space for guitar, drums and bass. If you are searching for something a little different and you love guitar screams with melody and fervor. If you are a fan of any of Jens other efforts or if you love intense speed and thrash like me, then this I an essential purchase!

As originally posted at www.metalcdratings.com

Every once in awhile you hear a cd and wonder why isn't everyone else doing what these guys are doing? this is one of those albums. This is what modern power metal should sound like, heavy, fast and alot of great guitar riffs. The band is Dark Empire and the album is Distant Tides. I've had this cd for a whole week and I have to say this is the best cd I've heard in about two years, yes it's that good. Dark Empire's sound can be described as a mix between Firewind and Savage Circus, the only real difference is this is better.

Yep I said it better, and it even has Jens of Savage Circus on vocals! Jens you should really stick with this band, it's the best thing you've ever done. Incase you can't guess I really like this cd, I've played it about twelve times so I don't thing I'm rushing with this review. I pretty much now the album backwards, Matt Molti you are surperb guitar player and Joe Stump should be proud. I never heard of Molti before this record so I assume this is his metal debut. What a great way introduce yourself, if I could only shake your hand and say job well done.

Anways I should really tell you about the songs, the album starts off with "We Will Never Die" it's pretty much power metal number with some awesome keyboards and great guitar. It's good solid starter and gives you what you expect from these guys. The song like I've mentioned before reminds me of Firewind, only Jens is far better vocalist than any Firewind singer, and Matt has written alot of good riffs that Gus G. which he had written. Also the keyboards here perfectly blend into the background, they don't clash with the rest of the music. "Distant Tides" is my favorite track, the lyrics are about overcoming the fear of failure in the music business and taking the big risk.

Most people don't follow their dreams because of fear. Matt really expresses what he wants people to know about what he felt about chasing his dream and what went through his head. The chorus here is the catchiest on the album, I believe alot of musicians can relate to these lyrics. Also Jen sings incredible well here probably his best vocal performance ever. The song also has real awesome riffs, I mean very well written, and the song contains the albums best solo.

"Northern Sky" is in similar vein, very fast almost thrashy power metal. The chorus is catchy like the song before it and contains some great drumming which another strong thing about this record. The drumming is complexed but very fitting with the fast guitar playing. Northern Sky is probably my second favorite song on here. The Album ends with an instrumental "The Final Vision" this song sounds very similar to the Firewind instrumentals that I've heard. The real big difference is The Final Vision is more varied, it starts off fast and then slows down and speed up again.

The riffs change but never get boring or repetitive at all. the song sounds dark and heavy which is a good way to end an album. For the songs I didn't mention they are just as strong as the songs metioned, this is very solid album, no real weak spots. The only negative thing here is the album is kinda short, wish they would have written another song or two for the album. Anways if you really enjoy aggressive dark power metal this album is for you. I highly recommend it and I have a feeling it will be looked over for album of the year considerations which to me it should be mentioned. So if you enjoy Jens Carlsson other work make sure to give this band a chance I'll sure you'll enjoy.