Darkest Era – Wither On The Vine
Release Date: 30th September 2022
Label: Candlelight Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Dark Metal
FFO: Ensiferum, Moonsorrow, Fintroll, Amon Amarth.
Review By: Jason James
Eight years is a long time. It’s also not very much time at all. It was the last time Darkest Era released an album. After the passing of time and a few personal and personnel changes, they are ready to release their album, Wither on the Vine.
Krum (Vocals), Ade Mulgrew (Guitar), Sarah Wieghell (Guitar), Daniel O’Toole (Bass) and Cameron Åhslund-Glass on Drums have delivered an album of great interest. Sarah and Ade’s guitars take turns duelling and then harmonising against a backdrop of driving drums and thumping bass. There are also plenty of harmonies from Krum’s soaring vocals too. His powerful performance soars over each of the eight tracks to be found on this release, weaving in and out of the music. The whole thing thunders along at a good pace and will be a great return for fans of the Irish metallers.
While I did enjoy this album, I didn’t find anything new or ground-breaking. There is nothing wrong with what the quintet have produced. But there is also something a bit lacking. There is nothing here to help Darkest Era raise their heads above the parapet, nothing to distinguish themselves in a packed subgenre. I’m sure their fans have been waiting with bated breath for another album, and Wither on the Vine will delight them. I don’t know if they will gain many new fans, though.
I could be wrong, of course, and this album could receive critical acclaim from all sides. They could have accolades raining down from the sky. But I can’t see that happening. I should reiterate that this is by no means a bad album. All the band members give their all and perform admirably. But after an eight-year hiatus, I guess I was expecting…more? There just seems to be something missing, and it will be interesting to see what happens next for this band.
(2.5 / 5)
