Dark Sky - Edge Of Time

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Goodlife Records / Point Music
Catalog Number: AORH1882
Format: CD
Total Time: 43:10:00

The history of Dark Sky goes back as long to 1982 when the band was founded. Seems they've been through it all; member replacements, signing with a label that never released their recorded CD, break-up, come-back, etc. Edge Of Time is Dark Sky's second effort and sadly I never got the chance to hear their debut album. The band hail from Germany and the current line-up consist of Frank Breuninger (v), Steffen Doll (g), Winny Zurek (b), Uwe Mayer (d) and Claudio Nobile (k).

Dark Sky play melodic heavy ala Shakra, Bonfire, Affair, Shylock, Jaded Heart, etc. In other words, hook laden melodic rock with catchy guitar riffing. Although Steffen Dolls' not the most technical guitarist around, he makes up for it by providing some super-catchy riffs and you just can't help cranking up the volume of your stereo when his riffs come blasting out your speakers. Accompanied by Frank Breuningers' good mid-ranged vocals and excellent song-writing skills, Dark Sky stand forth as one of the better hard rock acts I've heard from Germany this year.

The song quality is surprisingly high throughout the CD with many highlights to be found. "Bartimaeus," "Searching For Better Tears," "Judgement Day," "Turn Away" and "Touching You" are just a few examples of the huge melodic rockers that can be found on this CD. For the most part you will find mid-to-high paced rockers, but they have also made room for one ballad and a couple of semi-ballads. The melody-lines and choruses are very good and strikingly addictive to say the least.

The CD is very well produced with a compact sound. Crisp, clear and with enough punch to justify the huge riffs.

Although this is nothing new under the sun and the 80s influence shine through, Dark Sky definitely have a good thing going here. This is a class act. Edge Of Time is a quality release on all levels and comes highly recommended for fans of the aforementioned bands. Now, if I only could find their debut?

Similar bands: Bonfire, Shakra, Jaded Heart

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Bartimaeus / Searching For Better Tears / Hope Still Hasn't Gone / Judgement Day / Look In My Eyes / Touching You / In My Mind / Hard Life / Fading Light / By Your Side / The Edge / Turn Away

Musicians:
Frank Breuninger - vocals
Claudio Nobile - keyboards
Steffen Doll - guitar
Winny Zurek - bass
Uwe Mayer - drums

Discography:
Believe It (2000)
Edge Of Time (2002)

Genre: Melodic Rock-AOR

Origin DE

Added: December 11th 2004
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.dark-sky.de
Hits: 2862
Language: english