Dark Sky - Edge of Time (2002)

Dark Sky - Edge of Time

Loyal readers will remember that I was quite impressed by Dark Sky’s debut album “Believe It”. In Rock Report # 47 (spring 2001) I rewarded it with no less than 85/100 and so, I coupled my review to an interview with all band members in that same issue.
We’re now one and a half year further and what I have in my CD player, is an advance CD-R of the soon to be released (Oct. 1) second studio album “Edge Of Time”. Earlier this year - on April 29 to be precisely - guitarist Ashes left the band and was replaced by Steffen Doll, who just arrived in time to record the guitar parts of the new album. The rest of the band still consists of ‘veterans’ Frank Breuninger (v), Winny Zurek (b), Uwe Mayer (d) and Claudio Nobile (k).
“Edge Of Time” counts 12 tracks and - surprise surprise - opens with one of the heavier tracks, called “Bartimaeus” (named after the blind man from the bible). It’s a great opener, featuring a Steffen Doll who right away proves that he is a worthy successor to the departed Ashes. But the other members are also in top-notch form and all the characteristics of Dark Sky’s melodic rock sound are here in all their brilliance again: excellent lead and harmony vocals, strong guitar and keybard parts, great hooks and catchy melodies and choruses. “Searchin’ For Better Tears” is more of the same, before we come to the piano intro of “Hope Still Hasn’t Gone”, which reminds me very much of Heart’s “Alone”. Anyone who likes ballads will agree with me that it’s a great song, with a brilliant Breuninger, who surely has grown, but still suffers a bit from that stubborn German accent. Also hats off to newcomer Doll whose subtle axework may surely be heard. After that it’s full throttle again with “Judgement Day”. With a playing time of a little more than 3 minutes it’s a compact song, but everything is in place to make it a highlight during live shows of the band. “Look In My Eyes” is another of Dark Sky’s typical mid- to up-tempo songs with great harmony vocals, before we reach the first highlights of the album. Keyboards and slamming drums form the intro to “Touching You”, which has a killer chorus, that will surely invite you to sing along with the band members. Brilliant stuff, but the following “In My Mind” is the real ace of the pack! Allowing to catch our breath at the start, this song gradually evolves into one of the best rock tracks on “Edge Of Time”. Then, it’s full speed again with the guitar driven “Hard Life” (hats off to the rhythm section here!) and “Fading Light” (again with those brilliant backing vocals!). The party goes on with “By Your Side” (softer, yet very melodic) and comes to an end with a short instrumental piece - called “The Edge” - which only serves as an introduction to another highlight: the up-tempo album closer “Turn Away”.
Conclusion: Being more guitar driven and (a bit) heavier than the debut album, “Edge Of Time” offers the listener 12 compact songs, that pass in review in no time. Whenever I reached the end of the album, I couldn’t resist to press the play button again, which clearly proves that this is a quality melodic hard rock album from a band that really deserves to become more popular. Sure the guys deliver nothing new, but what they do, they do it in style. So, do yourself (and your neighbours) a favour and buy this album, which (by the way) is produced by Sheela’s very own Markus Teske. Feel sad? Listen to this CD and you’ll be happy in no time again…

copas from http://www.rockreport.be/review.asp?id=53

Tracklist:
1. Bartimaeus
2. Searchin’ For Better Tears
3. Hope Still Hasn’t Gone
4. Judgement Day
5. Look In My Eyes
6. Touching You
7. In My Mind
8. Hard Life
9. Fading Light
10. By Your Side
11. The Edge
12. Turn Away

 TKP

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