Australian heavy metal band from Sydney DARKER HALF has been around since 2003 since singer / guitarist Vo Simpson started all while in high school. The band performed in halls and occasionally (illegally) in pubs. Darker Half’s first foray into the wider Australian metal community was the band’s performance at the first Metalstock festival in 2005.
Still with brother Dom Simpson on drums, Darker Half returns revitalized with new members second guitarist Danny Ritz and bassist Jimmy Wynen for the release of ther new CD “The Book Of Fate” via Massacre Records.
For those not in the know, the quartet traverses across the classic / traditional melodic heavy metal landscape – powerful riffs, soaring / leather lung vocal melodies, steel-oriented rhythm section foundations as well as the supplementary twin guitar / shredding lead break spots and full background harmonies that engage active unison audience participants.
Vo as a vocalist checks off all the desired components one could ever want in this style – an occasional magical mystery touch in the lower register verses for “Are You Listening”, and Tate / Kiske-like higher range prowess right out of the gates through “The Golden Path” and “Faded Glory” – the latter throwing down some brilliant classical metal moments right before the emotive lead spot.
I don’t know, but it’s like bands coming from Sweden – it’s hard to find a bad Australian classic metal act. DARKER HALF are pretty awesome, heavy, yet extremely polished, clean, and with melody as a rule.
Many acts would spend their time dazzling ears with a 16th note barrage of double kick intensity next to speedier power riffs – yet that’s not always the game plan here, as Darker Half prefer instead to color their music with more midtempo shades of hooks and melodies, often keeping Dom’s main kit work down to earth to support the needs of the individual song on hand.
Riot and Queensrÿche followers would be very appeased with the musical combinations next to a super catchy, higher-level chorus to “Another Day, Another Nightmare” as well as the adrenaline pumping, gallop fueled follow-up “Something Sinister” – bells and choirs peaking in at the best times.
Self-produced by Dom at Elephant Sounds Studio, they assembled a solid talent unit in Chris Themelco and Thomas Plec Johansson for mixing and mastering duties respectively – extra insurance for a vibrant final sonic output that drives these songs into resplendent, thunderous grandeur which rivals the greatest veterans of the scene.
The title track finishes off the record in haunting fashion. Organ parts next to an earlier 90s edged crawling Metallica meets Savatage-like guitar riff soon swirls into a bevy of harmony parts on both the vocal and twin axe fronts.
Even the bounty full of skulls on the cover art contains enough smaller details in the main picture to illustrate the layers you will delve into pressing play on these nine main songs plus short album “Introduction”.
Five years after their last solid studio album If You Only Knew, Darker Half has not lost one step in keeping classic, traditional heavy metal with power and finesse on course for ”Book Of Fate”. Depth, heart, passion, and talent will win most over – another reason why Australia has been a hotbed as of late when it comes to high quality releases and live performances.
HIGHLY Recommended
1. Introduction
2. The Golden Path
3. From Disaster
4. Are You Listening
5. Another Day, Another Nightmare
6. Something Sinister
7. Somebody Else
8. Faded Glory
9. Nightfall
10. Book Of Fate
Darker Half – Book Of Fate 2025
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