Many releases of high quality US Metal lately and we of course like it as we are totally addicted to the very specific genre. Well do you remember Dark Arena from Cleveland, Ohio, USA? They already got an EP and a debut full length out and now they strike back with their latest release.

Flowing Black is the title of their new excellent album that finds the band more passionate and aggressive compared to the debut album. Songs are faster enforced with even more storm taking riffs, many many ultra technical razor blade leads, a skull crashing rhythm section that will hammer you down until the last minute of the album and -above all- the excellent voice of the ONE and ONLY Juan Ricardo (well you should check all the bands that the guy played at and let the first in line be the mighty Attaxe).

Dark Arena can be mentioned as a super metal group. Just take a look at their line up and you will realize the reason why. Well it seems that Mr Paul Konjicija one of the band’s axmen is not satisfied enough with all the Metal he has released in his whole life in groups like Antithesis, Attaxe and other and he goes on with Dark Arena. Hail yeah!! We need more. Ah yes I almost forgot that behind the drum kit you would probably notice the current drummer of Possessed! That explains in a way my comment about the hammering rhythm section. Thank Metal God Ryan Tyndall handles the bass delivering some more steel in your face accompanying by the guitar attacks of Allan Marcus.

The music of Dark arena is ultra technical meanwhile it remains straight and highs up the level of adrenaline in every head banging that is an easy task on every songs included in this release. Hey and do not let the brilliant keyboard interludes of Ron George to fool you enough. There is usually a storm of steel to follow after them. Well If you still are unable to realize what kind of Metal bomb we have in here imagine a mixture of Helstar and Jag Panzer with influences from bands like Cage and Outworld. Well this is US Metal fist in the face my friends…. seriously.

Check all the releases of Dark Arena you will never regret it.




http://www.myspace.com/darkarena

Review by: Countraven