DarkSun
Encyclopedia
DarkSun is a power metal
band from Asturias
, Spain
. Formed in 2002 after the split of Nörthwind, the band has since released 4 studio albums. DarkSun has often cited Blind Guardian
, Helloween
, Angra
, and Rage
as their biggest and most important influences.
band Nörthwind, three of the members formed heavy metal
band Vendaval. The rest of the members, guitarists Tino Hevia and Daniel Gonzalez, and keyboardist Helena Pinto, formed DarkSun. The band recruited bassist Pedro Junquera and drummer Daniel Cabal, who had also worked with Relative Silence
along with Helena Pinto. They decided to record an album after recruiting all the members to have a stable lineup.
In the middle of 2003, DarkSun went to Germany
to record what would become their debut album. It was recorded in the VPS
Studios
, produced by Ingo Cjavkoski (better known as Rage
's producer), and mixed at House of Music Studios by Achim Köhler (mixer who had worked for bands like Primal Fear
and Sinner
). El Legado was the debut album by the band, released in July 2004. Professional reviews were incredibly good, stating that El Legado, was "one of the best Spanish
metal
albums of the year [...] from an excellent band". DarkSun toured Spain
for a whole year to support the album, and had "tickets-sold-out" posters in most the venues. The critics and live-reviews about this new band were incredibly good. In the middle of the tour, drummer Daniel Cabal left the band. The rest of the members had to cancel some concerts before introducing Cabal's replacement, drummer Rafael Yugueros
who was at that time known for his work on power metal
band Darna
, on their first
and second album
and left after the band's breakup on 2004. Keybardist Helena Pinto left the band at the end of 2004.
), and Lars Ratz (from Metalium
) assisted on the vocals production. Once again the reviews were as good as they could possibly be, like "...it's a varied work, where power
and heavy metal
alternate and mix", and "El Lado Oscuro is a really good power metal album". Peavy Wagner
(of Rage
fame) performed vocals on a song, which was released as a bonus track on the album, entitled "Prisoners of Fate".
The band released an English
version of El Lado Oscuro, titled The Dark Side and was released in September 2007 through FC Metal Recordings. The critics were as good as the Spanish
version, like "the album can be defined with one word: brilliant!". The band collaborated on Rage
's album Speak of the Dead
, with a Spanish
version of the song "Full Moon" entitled "La Luna Reine," which appeared as a bonus track. Just after the release of The Dark Side drummer Rafael Yugueros
left DarkSun to form part of power metal
band WarCry
replacing former drummer Alberto Ardines
. Yugueros had already worked with WarCry on their 1997's demo Demon 97. The band re-recruited Daniel Cabal who worked on what would become the band's new album. Keyboardist Víctor Fernández left the band on the summer of 2007, being replaced by Ana Fernandes, who had previously played for Spanish
band Stormrider
. On the summer of 2008 DarkSun announced that Cabal was leaving the band, all these occurred in a professional and friendly way. On the same announcement the band presented new drummer Jose Ojeda, who had performed drums on Spanish
bands like Rivendel Lords, Killian, among others.
version, The Dark Side) was produced by lead vocalist Daniel González. David Figueiras has performed the lead guitars, now that González has left the guitars and centred mainly on vocal duties. The drums were played by former member Dani Cabal, who played on the band's first album El Legado and returned to the group from 2007 to 2008, being replaced by current drummer José Ojeda. The keyboards were played by Ana Fernandes, who replaced Víctor Fernández after leaving on the summer of 2007. The album was titled Libera Me
, released on September 29, 2008. "Miedo" was the first single for the album and also the new videoclip of the band, which was directed and produced by Jacinto Hinojal. The album contained special features, like the video clip, pictures of the making off. The cover was created by Daniel Alonso, who has also worked for bands like WarCry
, Hard Spirit, among others.
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band from Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Formed in 2002 after the split of Nörthwind, the band has since released 4 studio albums. DarkSun has often cited Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres...
, Helloween
Helloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
, Angra
Angra (band)
Angra is a Brazilian metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for its symphonic interludes, highly technical instrumental playing and Brazilian regional elements.- Biography :...
, and Rage
Rage (band)
Rage are a German heavy metal band, formed in 1984. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild and Blind Guardian.-Background:...
as their biggest and most important influences.
El Legado (2002-2005)
After the split of power metalPower metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Nörthwind, three of the members formed heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Vendaval. The rest of the members, guitarists Tino Hevia and Daniel Gonzalez, and keyboardist Helena Pinto, formed DarkSun. The band recruited bassist Pedro Junquera and drummer Daniel Cabal, who had also worked with Relative Silence
Relative Silence
Relative Silence was a Spanish progressive metal band from Asturias formed in 1998 by guitarist Pablo García and drummer Daniel Cabal, as a result of the metal band Presto's dissolution.-History:...
along with Helena Pinto. They decided to record an album after recruiting all the members to have a stable lineup.
In the middle of 2003, DarkSun went to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to record what would become their debut album. It was recorded in the VPS
VPS
VPS may refer to:*Virtual private server, a method of partitioning a physical server computer into multiple servers*Vaasan Palloseura, a Finnish football club*Vietnamese Professionals Society, international organization...
Studios
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
, produced by Ingo Cjavkoski (better known as Rage
Rage (band)
Rage are a German heavy metal band, formed in 1984. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild and Blind Guardian.-Background:...
's producer), and mixed at House of Music Studios by Achim Köhler (mixer who had worked for bands like Primal Fear
Primal Fear (band)
Primal Fear is a German power metal and speed metal band formed in 1997 by Ralf Scheepers and Mat Sinner . Sinner & Scheepers formed the band after Ralf was not hired as Rob Halford's replacement in Judas Priest...
and Sinner
Sinner (band)
Sinner are a German heavy metal band formed by vocalist and bassist Mat Sinner in 1982 . They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene. Their latest album, One Bullet Left, was released in 2011.-History:...
). El Legado was the debut album by the band, released in July 2004. Professional reviews were incredibly good, stating that El Legado, was "one of the best Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
albums of the year [...] from an excellent band". DarkSun toured Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
for a whole year to support the album, and had "tickets-sold-out" posters in most the venues. The critics and live-reviews about this new band were incredibly good. In the middle of the tour, drummer Daniel Cabal left the band. The rest of the members had to cancel some concerts before introducing Cabal's replacement, drummer Rafael Yugueros
Rafael Yugueros
Rafael Yugueros is the drummer of the power metal band WarCry where he played, until the band's split, and rejoined in September, 2007...
who was at that time known for his work on power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band Darna
Darna (band)
Darna was a Spanish power metal band from Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. Formed in 1998, they released two successful albums before the drummer's departure in 2004 led the remaining band members to decide to disband the group and focus on separate projects....
, on their first
Darna (album)
Darna is the self-tiltled debut album by the Spanish Heavy metal band Darna, released in May 2001.-Tracklist:# Intro# Muere el silencio# La edad de la ira# Loco Bardo# Sheela# El oráculo# La larga marcha# Secuelas# Para la eternidad# Desleal...
and second album
II (Darna album)
II is the second studio album released by the Spanish Heavy metal band Darna, on December, 2003.-Tracklist:# Tras el disfraz# Sueños rotos# Entre sueño y realidad# En venta# Realidad virtual# Cómo elegir un culpable# Héroes de ciudad...
and left after the band's breakup on 2004. Keybardist Helena Pinto left the band at the end of 2004.
El Lado Oscuro (2005-2007)
When the tour on support of El Legado ended, DarkSun entered the studios once again to record their new album. On the middle of the composition, arrangements, and production of the new album, the band hired Pinto's replacement, Víctor Fernández, who performed keyboard duties. This album was recorded in Germany, with Ingo Cjavkoski in the production. This time the band had Dennis Ward on mixings. (who was better known for his work with AngraAngra (band)
Angra is a Brazilian metal band from São Paulo, Brazil known for its symphonic interludes, highly technical instrumental playing and Brazilian regional elements.- Biography :...
), and Lars Ratz (from Metalium
Metalium
Metalium was a power metal band from Hamburg, Germany. Their style of music was that of the traditional power metal sound which was pioneered in Hamburg by bands such as Helloween and Blind Guardian...
) assisted on the vocals production. Once again the reviews were as good as they could possibly be, like "...it's a varied work, where power
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
and heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
alternate and mix", and "El Lado Oscuro is a really good power metal album". Peavy Wagner
Peavy Wagner
Peter "Peavy" Wagner is a German heavy metal musician. He is best known for being singer and bassist of the band Rage.- Biography :...
(of Rage
Rage (band)
Rage are a German heavy metal band, formed in 1984. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild and Blind Guardian.-Background:...
fame) performed vocals on a song, which was released as a bonus track on the album, entitled "Prisoners of Fate".
The band released an English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
version of El Lado Oscuro, titled The Dark Side and was released in September 2007 through FC Metal Recordings. The critics were as good as the Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
version, like "the album can be defined with one word: brilliant!". The band collaborated on Rage
Rage (band)
Rage are a German heavy metal band, formed in 1984. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s, along with bands such as Helloween, Running Wild and Blind Guardian.-Background:...
's album Speak of the Dead
Speak of the Dead
Speak of the Dead is the seventeenth studio album by the German heavy metal band Rage, released in 2006 by Nuclear Blast. The album contains a mix of different heavy metal music genres, ranging from symphonic and progressive to fast and brutal thrash metal...
, with a Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
version of the song "Full Moon" entitled "La Luna Reine," which appeared as a bonus track. Just after the release of The Dark Side drummer Rafael Yugueros
Rafael Yugueros
Rafael Yugueros is the drummer of the power metal band WarCry where he played, until the band's split, and rejoined in September, 2007...
left DarkSun to form part of power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band WarCry
WarCry (band)
WarCry is a Spanish power metal band led by founder, singer, and songwriter Víctor García. Formed in 2001 when García and drummer Alberto Ardines were ejected from Avalanch, the band has since released five studio albums and one live album, with a sixth studio album currently in progress. WarCry...
replacing former drummer Alberto Ardines
Alberto Ardines
Alberto Ardines is a Spanish musician. He is currently working on a new alternative/power metal band called Sauze formed by himself, along with Manuel Ramil, Fernando Mon, and Toni Amboaje.- Career :...
. Yugueros had already worked with WarCry on their 1997's demo Demon 97. The band re-recruited Daniel Cabal who worked on what would become the band's new album. Keyboardist Víctor Fernández left the band on the summer of 2007, being replaced by Ana Fernandes, who had previously played for Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
band Stormrider
Stormrider
Stormrider is a fantasy novel by the author David Gemmell published in 2002. It is the fourth and last novel in the Rigante series.-Plot summary:...
. On the summer of 2008 DarkSun announced that Cabal was leaving the band, all these occurred in a professional and friendly way. On the same announcement the band presented new drummer Jose Ojeda, who had performed drums on Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
bands like Rivendel Lords, Killian, among others.
Libera Me (2007-present)
DarkSun's third album (not including the EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
version, The Dark Side) was produced by lead vocalist Daniel González. David Figueiras has performed the lead guitars, now that González has left the guitars and centred mainly on vocal duties. The drums were played by former member Dani Cabal, who played on the band's first album El Legado and returned to the group from 2007 to 2008, being replaced by current drummer José Ojeda. The keyboards were played by Ana Fernandes, who replaced Víctor Fernández after leaving on the summer of 2007. The album was titled Libera Me
Libera Me (album)
Libera Me is the third album by Spanish power metal band DarkSun, released on September 29, 2008....
, released on September 29, 2008. "Miedo" was the first single for the album and also the new videoclip of the band, which was directed and produced by Jacinto Hinojal. The album contained special features, like the video clip, pictures of the making off. The cover was created by Daniel Alonso, who has also worked for bands like WarCry
WarCry (band)
WarCry is a Spanish power metal band led by founder, singer, and songwriter Víctor García. Formed in 2001 when García and drummer Alberto Ardines were ejected from Avalanch, the band has since released five studio albums and one live album, with a sixth studio album currently in progress. WarCry...
, Hard Spirit, among others.
Current members
- Dani González - vocals (and guitars on the first 3 albums)
- Tino Hevia - guitars
- David Figueiras - guitars
- Pedro Junquera - bass
- Ana FernándezAna FernándezAna Ivis Fernández Valle is a Cuban volleyball player, and three times Olympic Champion as a member of the Cuban winning team in 1992, 1996 and 2000.-Individual awards:* 1998 World Championship "Best Spiker"-References:...
- keyboards - Jose Ojeda - drums
Past members
- Rafael YuguerosRafael YuguerosRafael Yugueros is the drummer of the power metal band WarCry where he played, until the band's split, and rejoined in September, 2007...
- drums - Daniel Cabal - drums
- Helena Pinto - keyboards
- Víctor Fernández - keyboards
Studio albums
- El Legado (2004)
- El Lado OscuroEl Lado OscuroEl Lado Oscuro is the second studio album by power metal band DarkSun, released in 2004. The band entered the studios at the end of 2003. Just like El Legado, this album was recorded in Germany, with Ingo Cjavkoski in the production. This time the band had Dennis Ward on mixings...
(2006) - The Dark Side (2007)
- Libera MeLibera Me (album)Libera Me is the third album by Spanish power metal band DarkSun, released on September 29, 2008....
(2008) - Touching the Sun (2010)