Darkane
Encyclopedia
Darkane is a melodic death
/ progressive thrash metal band that originated in Helsingborg
, Sweden
in 1998. Their music contains ample thrash elements interspersed with acoustic interludes and symphonic features, such as the in studio use of synthesizers and occasionally full orchestras and choir singing. The name Darkane is a portmanteau
of the words "dark" and "arcane".
Darkane was formed by former Agretator guitarist Christofer Malmström and drummer Peter Wildoer, who recorded a 2-song demo in 1998. On the strength of these two songs, Darkane landed a record deal with War Music, and the band's lineup was completed by bassist Jörgen Löfberg, guitarist Klas Ideberg, and vocalist Bjorn “Speed” Strid. However, as vocalist of the already-established Soilwork, Speed was unable to continue dividing his time, and decided to leave Darkane. After a period of several months without a vocalist, he was replaced by vocalist Lawrence Mackrory, who was recommended by the band's producer, Daniel Bergstrand.
Mackrory recorded all vocals on the debut album, Rusted Angel
, and performed several live dates with the band later that year. However, due to other commitments, Mackrory was unable to tour with the band in early 1999, and was replaced by Andreas Sydow, who had been a member of a cover band with Malmström years earlier. After playing many festivals and shows for the next several months, the band signed a new record deal with Nuclear Blast, and returned to the studio to record their second album. These recording sessions would prove challenging, as electrical storms, floods, and equipment malfunctions caused significant issues during the production of the album, which was named Insanity as a result.
After more European touring and their first North American show in 2001, the band began work on their third album, Expanding Senses
, which was released in 2002. Darkane toured extensively following this release, and by early 2004 had almost an entire album's worth of songs written. However, at this time, drummer Peter Wildoer suffered a wrist injury, and began experiencing severe wrist pain. The band went on hiatus to allow Wildoer to recover. During this time, guitarist Christofer Malmström released a solo album (Non Human Level) which was a compilation of unreleased songs he had written from 1998 - 2004. Guitarist Klas Ideberg spent time working with his side project Terror 2000.
By late 2004, Wildoer's injury had healed, and the band reconvened to record their fourth album, Layers of Lies
, released in May 2005. After more extensive touring, the band started putting together the live compilation DVD Layers of Live
, however, this effort wold take several years, not being released until 2010. On August 13, 2007, vocalist Andreas Sydow decided to end his tenure with Darkane. This led to the arrival of former Construcdead and The Defaced vocalist, Jens Broman on October 25, 2007.
On October 6, 2007 it was announced that Darkane was writing new material for their fifth studio album Demonic Art
, which was later released on October 24, 2008. Peter Wildoer posted this message on his website:
Darkane's only full-length DVD was shot in May 2006 in the band's hometown of Helsingborg, Sweden.
On August 6, 2011 it was announced that vocalist Jens Broman was leaving the band due to personal issues. He was replaced by former Darkane vocalist Lawrence Mackrory, who appeared on the debut album, Rusted Angel
.
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
/ progressive thrash metal band that originated in Helsingborg
Helsingborg
Helsingborg is a city and the seat of Helsingborg Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 97,122 inhabitants in 2010. Helsingborg is the centre of an area in the Øresund region of about 320,000 inhabitants in north-west Scania, and is Sweden's closest point to Denmark, with the Danish city...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
in 1998. Their music contains ample thrash elements interspersed with acoustic interludes and symphonic features, such as the in studio use of synthesizers and occasionally full orchestras and choir singing. The name Darkane is a portmanteau
Portmanteau word
A portmanteau or portmanteau word is a blend of two words or morphemes into one new word. A portmanteau word typically combines both sounds and meanings, as in smog, coined by blending smoke and fog. More generally, it may refer to any term or phrase that combines two or more meanings...
of the words "dark" and "arcane".
Darkane was formed by former Agretator guitarist Christofer Malmström and drummer Peter Wildoer, who recorded a 2-song demo in 1998. On the strength of these two songs, Darkane landed a record deal with War Music, and the band's lineup was completed by bassist Jörgen Löfberg, guitarist Klas Ideberg, and vocalist Bjorn “Speed” Strid. However, as vocalist of the already-established Soilwork, Speed was unable to continue dividing his time, and decided to leave Darkane. After a period of several months without a vocalist, he was replaced by vocalist Lawrence Mackrory, who was recommended by the band's producer, Daniel Bergstrand.
Mackrory recorded all vocals on the debut album, Rusted Angel
Rusted Angel
-Darkane:*Christofer Malmström – lead guitar*Peter Wildoer – drum kit*Jörgen Löfberg – bass guitar*Klas Ideberg – rhythm guitar*Lawrence Mackrory – vocals-Production:*Wez Wenedikter – executive producer*Daniel Bergstrand – production, engineering, mixing...
, and performed several live dates with the band later that year. However, due to other commitments, Mackrory was unable to tour with the band in early 1999, and was replaced by Andreas Sydow, who had been a member of a cover band with Malmström years earlier. After playing many festivals and shows for the next several months, the band signed a new record deal with Nuclear Blast, and returned to the studio to record their second album. These recording sessions would prove challenging, as electrical storms, floods, and equipment malfunctions caused significant issues during the production of the album, which was named Insanity as a result.
After more European touring and their first North American show in 2001, the band began work on their third album, Expanding Senses
Expanding Senses
Expanding Senses is the third album from melodic death metal band Darkane.It was released on 26 August 2002 in Europe, 4 September 2002 in Japan by Toy's Factory & 1 October 2002 in United States....
, which was released in 2002. Darkane toured extensively following this release, and by early 2004 had almost an entire album's worth of songs written. However, at this time, drummer Peter Wildoer suffered a wrist injury, and began experiencing severe wrist pain. The band went on hiatus to allow Wildoer to recover. During this time, guitarist Christofer Malmström released a solo album (Non Human Level) which was a compilation of unreleased songs he had written from 1998 - 2004. Guitarist Klas Ideberg spent time working with his side project Terror 2000.
By late 2004, Wildoer's injury had healed, and the band reconvened to record their fourth album, Layers of Lies
Layers of Lies
Layers of Lies is the fourth album from Swedish melodic death metal band Darkane, issued in 27 June 2005.The release of this album took sometime since the last album because Peter Wildoer suffered a severe hand injury in 2003 which left him uncertain whetherhe would drum again but miraculously a...
, released in May 2005. After more extensive touring, the band started putting together the live compilation DVD Layers of Live
Layers of Live
-Track listing:Other Material* A 40 min "in the studio" documentary.* A 45 min "on the road" documentary.-Credits:Darkane*Peter Wildoer - drums*Christofer Malmström - lead guitar*Klas Ideberg - rhythm guitar*Jörgen Löfberg - bass guitar...
, however, this effort wold take several years, not being released until 2010. On August 13, 2007, vocalist Andreas Sydow decided to end his tenure with Darkane. This led to the arrival of former Construcdead and The Defaced vocalist, Jens Broman on October 25, 2007.
On October 6, 2007 it was announced that Darkane was writing new material for their fifth studio album Demonic Art
Demonic art
Demonic Art is the fifth album by Darkane. It is the first album with new vocalist Jens Broman. The concept of the album is based on the song "Organic Canvas" from Layers of Lies.-Track listing:# "Variations of an Eye Crush" - 1:31...
, which was later released on October 24, 2008. Peter Wildoer posted this message on his website:
"This coming winter we will start recording Darkane's fifth record. We have about nine songs ready. We were hoping to enter the studio earlier but in typical Darkane bad luck, our studio got flooded and badly damaged. So now we're looking for a new location for the studio and as soon as we find that we need to rebuild the studio which takes a lot of time. Hopefully we will start recording around Christmas (fingers crossed). In some weeks, we'll start working on the mix of the upcoming Darkane DVD. I just hope the DVD will be released early next year".
Darkane's only full-length DVD was shot in May 2006 in the band's hometown of Helsingborg, Sweden.
On August 6, 2011 it was announced that vocalist Jens Broman was leaving the band due to personal issues. He was replaced by former Darkane vocalist Lawrence Mackrory, who appeared on the debut album, Rusted Angel
Rusted Angel
-Darkane:*Christofer Malmström – lead guitar*Peter Wildoer – drum kit*Jörgen Löfberg – bass guitar*Klas Ideberg – rhythm guitar*Lawrence Mackrory – vocals-Production:*Wez Wenedikter – executive producer*Daniel Bergstrand – production, engineering, mixing...
.
Current members
- Lawrence Mackrory - vocals (1998 - 1999, 2011 - )
- Christofer MalmströmChristofer MalmströmErik Einar Christofer Malmström is a Swedish, Lead guitarist and Founder for the Band, Darkane. He also Plays lone Guitar in Non-Human Level. He used to play in Zaninez & Demise .-Equipment:*Ibanez Guitars...
- lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(1998 - ) - Klas Ideberg - rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(1998 - ) - Jörgen Löfberg - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1998 - ) - Peter WildoerPeter WildoerKarl Peter Wildoer is a Swedish drummer in the bands Darkane, Electrocution 250 & Grimmark. He has also drummed for the bands Armageddon, Majestic, Pestilence, Silver Seraph, Arch Enemy, Time Requiem, Gardens of Obscurity and Dawn of Oblivion amongst others. He has been tagged to perform sessions...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(1998 - )
Former members
- Bjorn “Speed” Strid - vocals & session musicianSession musicianSession musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
(1998) - Andreas Sydow - vocals (1999 - 2007)
- Jens Broman - vocals (2007 - 2011)
Albums
- Rusted AngelRusted Angel-Darkane:*Christofer Malmström – lead guitar*Peter Wildoer – drum kit*Jörgen Löfberg – bass guitar*Klas Ideberg – rhythm guitar*Lawrence Mackrory – vocals-Production:*Wez Wenedikter – executive producer*Daniel Bergstrand – production, engineering, mixing...
(1999) - Insanity (2001)
- Expanding SensesExpanding SensesExpanding Senses is the third album from melodic death metal band Darkane.It was released on 26 August 2002 in Europe, 4 September 2002 in Japan by Toy's Factory & 1 October 2002 in United States....
(2002) - Layers of LiesLayers of LiesLayers of Lies is the fourth album from Swedish melodic death metal band Darkane, issued in 27 June 2005.The release of this album took sometime since the last album because Peter Wildoer suffered a severe hand injury in 2003 which left him uncertain whetherhe would drum again but miraculously a...
(2005) - Demonic ArtDemonic artDemonic Art is the fifth album by Darkane. It is the first album with new vocalist Jens Broman. The concept of the album is based on the song "Organic Canvas" from Layers of Lies.-Track listing:# "Variations of an Eye Crush" - 1:31...
(2008)
Other releases
- A Tribute to Accept (cover of "Restless & Wild" by AcceptAcceptAccept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes. Their beginnings can be traced back to the late 1960s...
) - A Tribute to the Beast (cover of "Powerslave" by Iron MaidenIron MaidenIron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
)