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It's not often you come across a band that add revolutionizing twists to the well-trodden (and sometimes spent) genre of metal. Sure it's the genre we all love, but sometimes the road that lies ahead comes off as a bit too familiar and safe, and the last thing we want out of our metal is something "safe." After one listen to Darkane's music, you quickly realize that they are one of the scarce innovative outfits in metal that keep the genre fresh and fans on their toes.
Sweden's Darkane rose out of the ashes of Agretator, a short-lived band that gave Watchtower a run for their money. Looking for something new, drummer Peter Wildoer (ex-Armageddon, ex-Arch Enemy) and guitarist Christofer Malmström teamed up with fellow six-stringer Klas Ideberg (also Terror 2000 and The Defaced) and bassist Jörgen Löfberg. Together they began to crystallize a more aggressive, straightforward sound, both technical and brutal. Motorized by Wildoer's unique drumming style, Darkane spew forth a tidal wave of harsh riffs and soaring leads coupled with increasingly complex and dynamic vocals.
After recording two tracks for the seminal War Dance compilation (War Music), Darkane proved more than capable of standing toe-to-toe with the best in the extremely congested and competitive Swedish metal scene. In August 1998, they entered Dug-Out Studio with producer Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, In Flames) to record their debut, Rusted Angel (Relapse). To complete the album, the band turned to vocalist Lawrence Mackrory for his ability to mix different vocal styles, which lent an added sense of depth and dimension to the already complex music. After receiving noteworthy praise throughout the underground in response to Rusted Angel, the band turned to Bergstrand again for their sophomore effort, the appropriately titled Insanity (Century Media). The album introduced new singer Andreas Sydow and a more chaotic, heavier attack (more reminiscent of Meshuggah than At the Gates or Dark Tranquillity) that left listeners hammered, dazed and wondering what the hell just happened.
Expanding Senses takes the depth of Rusted Angel and beautifully mixes it with the powerhouse drumming, caustic guitars and heavy-duty destructive power of Insanity. It took nearly three months in the studio to realize the ambition of Expanding Senses. Guitars and bass were recorded at Darkane's home studio while drums, vocals and the final mix were once again handled by Bergstrand in Dug-Out. Sydow truly comes into his own vocally, becoming a focal point of Darkane's unique musical vision. The band even returns to their roots. Original vocalist Mackrory joins Sydow on "Chaos Vs. Order," a song that seemingly brings the band full circle while simultaneously propelling them forward. Like fellow countrymen In Flames and Soilwork, Darkane continue to grow and expand in unexpected and welcome directions.
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