Who's got this one? Phenomenal Power Metal with a symphonic edge. By that,I don't mean those limp Power Metal bands that flood their Metal with washes of keyboard and dilute to taste. Dark Arena is aggressive and the keyboard mix in completely with general sound of the band, without any kind of watering down of the power.

The quality of the musicianship is exceptional, the structures are varied with plenty of times changes to keep us on our toes, and the vocals of Juan Ricardo are some of the best out there.

As they describe their own sound - "artists who combine elements of thrash, progressive, classical, jazz, and power metal to create the ultimate paradoxical sound- old-school yet modern and definitely HEAVY!"

It is good to hear that they have posted up some new song at last. That kills in the same way that "Alien Factor" did, so the next album should be essential also.

www.myspace.com/darkarena

heavy yet mellow