DARK HEART – Out Of The Shadows (2024) *HQ*

DARK HEART were formed during the early Eighties, releasing the debut now cult album ”Shadows of the Night” on the Roadrunner label in 1984. After a number of successful live shows, the fast approaching end of NWOBHM era meant the band decided to go their separate ways, never quite fulfilling their potential or producing a follow up second album.
Over the years the band has developed a cult following, gaining many new fans to their music. Founding member of the band Alan Clark went on to form Change Of Heart moving from guitar to vocals and as the main song writer, the band have very much established themselves as one of the best British AOR / Rock bands, with 4 albums released to date…
Fast forward to 2024 and Dark Heart are BACK! After a number of years being asked to make a new album, Alan finally decided to commence work on new material.
With the help of talented Pete Newdeck (Midnite City, Vega) producing & mixing but also playing drums, doing backing vocals, etc, the result is Dark Heart comeback titled “Out Of The Shadows“, a CD including some of the best British Melodic Hard Rock songs you’ll hear this year.

The musical style, although still routed in classic metal / Hard Rock has very much moved away from NWOBHM, to not only bring the sound up to date, but also reflect the maturity in their songwriting craft. Alan as the only original member of the band, has been working with Nick Catterick (Guitar) for a number of years on various projects, the pair have developed an intuitive and special understanding when writing, and working together, so it was a natural and easy choice to bring Nick on board.
Nick who started playing guitar in his early teens has always been inspired by fiery and inventive players, drawing influences from the great players such as Moore, Sykes, Campbell, Norum with a touch of Lynch/Rhoads, and is set to be recognised for not only his playing ability, but also for one of the best guitar tones in the business.
Newdeck provide his solid drumming, paired with the bass performances from the superb Josh ‘Tabbie’ Williams (Midnite City, Life Of A Hero).

‘Darkest Eyes’ is a fast and hard opening to the album. Tight riffs and powerful drumming dominate. Later, Clark’s distinctive voice takes centre stage. There is also a great guitar solo. After calm synth and guitar sounds, ‘Cast To Stone’ is a very rhythmic and melodic mid-tempo Rock anthem.
‘Edge Of Dreams’ is another strong Melodic Rock highlight. You can really hear the bass booming here, underlaid by keyboard tapestries. ‘Degrees Of Separation’ is a little faster and harder but just as convincing. And the fireworks of hits continue with ‘Wings Of The Night’ – after another quiet start with acoustic guitars, a midtempo song develops that is a little reminiscent of Dio, especially thanks to the amazing voice.

‘House Of Usurer’ begins with synth sounds, but the rhythm section soon strikes with full force with ’80s Black Sabbath memory riffs. Then the ride takes off with ‘Break The Chains’, full steam ahead Rock. ‘Time To Fly’ is another great anthem with a huge melody. A fat bass line opens ‘K.O.T.D’. followed by beautiful slow guitar but plenty of hooks plus riffs from a lower tuned guitar. Great lead vocals are of course the highlight.
‘Night Won’t Let Me Go’ is the regular closing song on the self-titled second album. The Brits go full throttle once again. But as I said, the title track of their debut ‘Shadows Of The Night’ follows as an encore. And this is another hard hitter. The riffs are blasting out of the speakers.

‘Out Of The Shadows’ delivers a very good, solid, mature bag of Melodic Hard Rock. But the Brits haven’t opened a time capsule here. On the contrary, they have transported the NWOBHM sound into the present time wrapped by a glossy melodic/hard production & mix.
It’s hard to find a weak song on ‘Out Of The Shadows’, a really stunning comeback album from Dark Heart.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Darkest Eyes
02 – Cast to Stone
03 – Edge of Dreams
04 – Degrees of Separation
05 – Wings of the Night
06 – House of Usurer
07 – Break the Chains
08 – Time to Fly
09 – K.O.T.D
10 – Night Won’t Let Me Go
11 – Shadows of the Night

Alan Clark – vocals, keys
Nick Catterick – guitars
Josh ‘Tabbie’ Williams – bass
Pete Newdeck – drums, keys, backing vocals

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