DARKNESS IS MY CANVAS – The End Of Times (2025) *HQ*
Different aspects of hard rock / metal seem to be gaining momentum over the last decade. Artists such as Ghost making their mark be it selling out small theaters to arena-level capacity – strongly influencing a new generation of musicians.
Active since 2017, Finnish act DARKNESS IS MY CANVAS already send shivers in the landscape by name alone – embracing a sound that has a melodic vibrancy, incorporating elements of modern hard rock next to some progressive fluidity in spots.
The wide array of styles for their new album ”The End of Times” keep listeners on their toes, as the past collides with the present to pull these tracks closer to you, aspects from Ghost or My Chemical Romance, to Uriah Heep or Saga, to 70s/80s progressive metal slide in from the layers of vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, and drums at play.
Do you want to hear something fresh? DARKNESS IS MY CANVAS and ”The End of Times” will surprise you.
Immediately noticeable are the cascading keyboard foundation that can go from soothing to proficient splendor in a nanosecond – side by side to a vocal presence that rivals artists like Voyager when it comes to emotional connectivity.
Spacey vibes in the circular guitar progressions next to bombastic keyboard tones take “Bleed” to a comfortable level of ease, while the follow-up “Ink In the Water” conveys more of a playful commercial side to the group – where the horn sections and lower register vocal harmonies gain the spotlight.
Next to the radio-friendly compositions, the quartet stretch out their progressive chops on other tracks like the almost nine-minute “The Maze” that starts off very quietly introspective with distant vocals and a softer drum pattern before kicking into gear, the finale a tour de force of virtuoso interplay on the keyboard side next to a mid-tempo 70s-like groove sequence.
The main singing possesses a lighter touch, sitting in that Moody Blues / Saga-like position, perfectly delivered on the dramatic ballad “These Times”.
”The End Of Times” is one of those slow build records where the payoffs come in the deeper details – which makes Darkness Is My Canvas an intriguing band.
Those who enjoy progressive rock / metal with a twist, bouncy side along with much more manageable, down to earth vocals would be well advised to investigate these talented musicians.
Highly Recommended
01 – Wash
02 – Rejected
03 – Bleed
04 – Ink In The Water
05 – The Maze
06 – The End Of Times
07 – Day Zero
08 – Subliminal
09 – These Times
10 – Skin & Bones
11 – Day Zero (Radio Edit)
12 – The Maze (Instrumetal)
Pete – lead vocals, keys
Panu – guitars, keys, vocals
Fellu – bass guitar, vocals
Juza – drums
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