Dark Arena - Alien Factor

In their debut full length entitled Alien Factor, Dark Arena from Cleveland, Ohio, USA, delivers a magnificent mixture of Power and Progressive Metal enforced with some Thrash and even Speed Metal elements. A little taste of their music was taken through Alien Factor EP –yes the it had the same title as their full length- that was released back in 2006 but now it is time for the band to offer us a full length.

On the line up of the band we will meet Juan Ricardo on vocals (also on Ritual (US), Attaxe, Tormentor (US), ex-Stryker, Arenah, Zyklone, Ritual of Torment) and Paul Konjicija on guitar (also Arenah, Antithesis (US), Mutant Soldier, Attaxe, Uncommon Ground) if you take a look on the mentioned bands you can understand that the two main members of the band have passed through some great US Power Metal bands having offered some great music on the specific style, in the past. In Dark Arena we can also hear Dale Robertson on guitar (ex-Roadies Nightmare), Brian Glodde on bass (Antithesis (US), Byron Nemeth, Mindscape (US), Rick Renstrom) and also Chris Stolle on drums (ex-Lethal Conception, Thanatopsis, ex-Somnus, ex-Possessed, ex-Diabolicus), for one more time, take a look at the bands that those members have also played and you would soon realize that here we are not dealing with musicians that are recording their first album.

Can we point Dark arena as an all-star band? Well this maybe be a point but after the first hearing of the music trapped in this CD you would for sure find yourself unable to focus on all start line ups as you would not be able to stop bang your head. I will repeat what I have pointed in the intro of the review: the bands delivers a magnificent mixture of Power and Progressive Metal enforced with some Thrash and even Speed Metal elements and if you are a fan of the gods Attaxe then this band will be your new musical heaven (thanks to the singer and guitarist). But there are times when the band gets even heavier and faster than Attaxe (reminding the second antithesis album) so if the early Jag Pazner US Steel enforced by even wilder Speed and Thrash elements is your peak you will still enjoy this album. There are also many Prog and melodic elements attaché din the music of the band so those who are stuck into this stuff will find the music of Dakr Arena interesting as well.

Great band, great release. Check them out

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Dark Arena - Flowing Black - Independent - 2009

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 Source Of Article Click Here

Metal To Infinity

Okay, three years is no exaggeration for a Metal band to release a new CD but waiting for something you’re looking so much forward to stays a difficult mission. Especially in music I can be so god damn impatient… 

Dark Arena’s “Alien Factor” ain’t at all a CD that shocked the Metal scène in 2006  but that wasn’t at all the band’s fault. They delivered all the necessary goods, so why blame them? No, first of all the band didn’t find a decent label and a second reason was that the Metal media was (and still is) ignorant about this American super band. In an oversaturated Metal scène a band needs both to receive any attention. A pity, even a disgrace but I don’t tell any lies when I say “Alien Factor” became a record only a few die hard US Metal fanatics discovered. To be honest it was, for me, one of the best three albums of that particular year! This debut is already reviewed at our website and it deserves its place between our ‘classic ones’! Stefan?

Amongst all interesting and superb US Power Metal bands Dark Arena is without any doubts one of the most attractive ones. The band plays typical US Power Metal in which especially the Progressive and mid tempo Thrash elements, that makes this unique genre so attractive, are present. Add some out of the ordinary guitars and fascinating world class vocals and you will understand why I was looking forward to this new release… The band contains two amazing guitar players, a keyboard player who’s a master in adding subtle – yet overwhelming – performances in the songs, an incredible technical drummer and a bass player who delivers bass lines that will leave you behind with your eyes wide shut! 

Dark Arena delivers once again a high quality record! Sophisticated riffs, technical played arrangements, a play of high power and a devastating wall of sound! The guitar solos are fast fingered, crying, sensitive and just the way Heavy Metal guitar solos should sound! These are the kind of solos that makes every Heavy Metal fanatic playing the imaginary guitar, awesome! At least it proves how this music doesn’t miss its effect on me and what kind of spelling force it has on the listener! The opening track “Eclipse Of The Sun”, introduced by an enigmatic intro, is a masterpiece to start with. This high quality standard stays available for the listener during the entire album! All tracks are incredible good written and contain – thanks to some dark samples and gloomy instrumental pieces in and between the songs – a very mysterious atmosphere. Dark voices in the back ground, grunts to make the music sound stronger, mystifying acoustic introductions, odd and bizarre keyboard performances … all are foreseen. In between you’ll discover shredding guitar solos and high energetic riffs that will suck all the life out of you! Also the foundation is amazing; more than once I can’t believe my ears listening to these lightning fast bass guitar lines and fantastic double bass drums!

I just adore it when a band delivers that ‘extra touch’ to make a CD irresistible. Musical wise I can’t say that the band made many improvements; therefore “Alien Factor” was too strong. By creating a more intense dark mood on this release Dark Arena did actually improve. “The Dark Crusade” is a good example on the way Dark Arena succeeds in their goal creating a terrifying and scary atmosphere in and between their first class Heavy Metal songs! “Pax Et Bello” is another very good example of what I mean; it’s a short instrumental intermezzo with a creepy voice and heavenly – yet frightening – choirs on the background… Once again I receive a cold shivering! By adding it on this disc the listener stays into the right mood for this overall ultimate dark CD! 

The essence and spirit of classic 80's Power Metal as well as any band, then or now are at hand. The elements that made the Eighties Metal scène so special are here! Anyway Dark Arena was so intelligent to add modern elements and melodic refrains / choruses to it. Dark Arena sounds Progressive but without losing, not for a slice of second, any sight to their red lines! The technical arrangements and grunt voices in the back ground make everything sound even more stronger and gives this disc a modern touch! It is impossible to name a favorite song; each one of them contains its dark secrets you need to discover yourself… The production is strong, not polished but indeed clean! Furthermore you’ll discover spectacular  flowing guitar harmonies with just the right amount of power and even more spectacular guitar solos! I need to say that the solos are more spectacular than on the debut CD! The effective songwriting, ultra technical performed, will deliver you a trip through the stories Dark Arena is writing about. 

Add a vocalist who contains an unique voice and can be compared with John Cyriis (ex Agent Steel), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Geoff Tate (Queensryche), Tom Malicoat (Lethal), Ski (Deadly Blessing) and Warrel Dane (Sanctuary era). As a matter of fact it is a disgrace I have to compare Juan Ricardo with others because he is without any doubts one of the best singers – world wide - in the present Metal scène. Yes ladies and gentlemen; this is a vocalist extraordinaire! Juan Ricardo’s voice is clean, strong and he’s able to sing very high notes! His high screams are by the way  just fantastic! 

It took some time for me to get into this CD because every time I discover something new that sounds tremendous to me. Dark Arena stays far away from the Metal clichés and delivers a breathtaking album, unfortunately I fear it is once again meant for a select public because the band is still not signed! The chosen few who will discover this treasure will be blown away and will understand why I always say that the best Metal bands are mostly underground… Yes, Dark Arena is a top band in every way, in every aspect! No weak points on this release that will maybe end as the ultimate number one in my year list! Before the end of the year you can buy this masterpiece at:  http://www.myspace.com/darkarena 

My Points : 99 / 100 (Review by Officer Nice) Source Of Article Click Here