Dark Moor

Dark Moor
Origin Madrid, Spain
Genres Neoclassical metal, symphonic power metal, progressive metal, heavy metal, hard rock (recently)
Years active 1993−present
Labels Arise, Scarlet Records
Associated acts Beto Vázquez Infinity, Dreamaker, Inntrance
Website www.dark-moor.com
Members Enrik Garcia
Alfred Romero
Dani Fernandez
Roberto Cappa
Past members Javier Rubio
Roberto Peña
Elisa C. Martin
Albert Maroto
Anan Kaddouri
Jorge Sáez
Jose Garrido
Andy C.
Ricardo Moreno
Mario Garcia

Dark Moor is a Spanish neo-classical metal and symphonic power metal band[1] from Madrid. Formed in 1993, they produced three full-length albums before undergoing a line-up change in which three members left the band to form their own project, Dreamaker. Afterwards, the band continued under the same name, recruiting suitable replacements in time for their eponymous 2003 album. Since 2002, guitarist Enrik Garcia has been the band's sole remaining founding member.

Background

Dark Moor was formed in 1993 in Madrid, Spain, and recorded their debut album, Shadowland, in the summer of 1999. Dark Moor played live supporting Demons and Wizards on their Spanish tour.

Dark Moor began the recording sessions for their second album, The Hall of the Olden Dreams, in August 2000 at New Sin Studios with producer Luigi Stefanini. During these recording sessions, the band recorded their cover of "Halloween", which was included on the CD The Keepers of Jericho part I - A Tribute to Helloween (Arise Records).

Their E.P. The Fall of Melnibone was released in June 2001. This E.P was a limited edition; 1500 copies were released and only for the Spanish market.

Dark Moor began the recording of their third album, The Gates of Oblivion, in Autumn 2001 at New Sin Studios. Dark Moor signed with the major label JVC for the Asian release. The band played 18 gigs at festivals such as Rock Machina, Viña Rock and Nit De Reis. After the first part of the tour, keyboardist Roberto Peña left the band and they were forced to finish the tour with a guest musician.

In August 2003 Dark Moor recorded four new exclusive acoustic tracks along with a string quartet, to be included in Between Light and Darkness, which was released in April 2003. Due to differing points of view regarding the musical direction for the next Dark Moor album, vocalist Elisa Martin, guitarist Albert Maroto and drummer Jorge Sáez decided to leave Dark Moor to start a new band.

The two remaining members of the band decided to start a search for new members. After the auditions, they accepted vocalist Alfred Romero, guitarist Jose Garrido, and drummer Andy C.

In August 2003, the band started recording their fourth album, Dark Moor, at New Sin Studios in Italy. Following a month of recording sessions, the album was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios.

On 23 November 2006, the band announced the departure of their drummer on their official website, due to "incompatibility with his other musical projects." He would go on to play drums for Saratoga. His replacement, Roberto Cappa, was previously in the Spanish metal band Anima Sola.

In January 2009, their seventh album Autumnal was released.

The band made an announcement on their website, dated 4 June 2010, that their eighth album was in the works. It featured Berenice Musa as a guest vocalist. The album is titled Ancestral Romance and it was released in November 2010.

On 18 June 2013 the band released their ninth album Ars Musica, with the Japanese limited version including a bonus CD with five bonus tracks. They toured Mexico and Asia the same year, as well as few dates in Europe in 2014 to support the new album.

Dark Moor started recording their 10th studio album, Project X, on 27 July 2015 and released it in Europe on November 6, 2015 on Scarlet Records.[2][3] The album featured bass player Ricardo Moreno (who worked with the band from February 2015) in the studio, although the band announced shortly before the release the return of previous bass player Daniel Fernandez. Dark Moor published the artwork and track list for this album on 21 September, and revealed their new logo at the same time, both announcing a turn from the previous classically inspired themes towards science fiction inspiration. The album received positive reviews worldwide, citing influences of classic heavy metal and hard rock and artists such as Queen in the album.

Members

Current members

  • Alfred Romero (2003–present) - vocals
  • Enrik Garcia (1993–present) - guitar
  • Dani Fernandez (2004–2008, 2016–present) - bass
  • Roberto Cappa (2007–present) - drums

Former members

  • Javier Rubio (1993-1998) - guitar
  • Iván Urbistondo (1996-1999) - vocals
  • Roberto Peña (1994–2002) - keyboards
  • Elisa C. Martin (1999–2003) - vocals
  • Albert Maroto (1999–2003) - guitar
  • Anan Kaddouri (1999–2004) - bass
  • Jorge Sáez - (1999–2003) drums
  • Jose Garrido (2003–2004) - guitar
  • Andy C. (2003–2006) - drums/keyboards
  • Dani Fernandez (2004–2008) - bass
  • Mario Garcia (2008–2015) - bass
  • Ricardo Moreno (2015–2016) - bass

Discography

Studio albums

Singles and EPs

Demos

References

  1. ↑ Eck, Markus (2009). "Dark Moor – Autumnal". Sonic Seducer (in German). No. 3. Thomas Vogel Media. Seit Jahren erfreuen sich diese spanischen Spitzenkönner riesengroßer Beliebtheit in Epic Symphonic Power Metal-Kreisen – mit Recht. [For years, these Spanish top artist have been enjoying a huge popularity in circles of Epic symphonic power metal – and rightly so.]
  2. ↑ "Today we started recording the new album!". 27 July 2015.
  3. ↑ "DARK MOOR New Album "PROJECT X" out November 2015". Facebook. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 6/16/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.