”Life Force” is the new album by DARKYRA, a joint venture between Drummer & Producer Garry King (Joe Lynn Turner, Jeff Beck) and Singer / Songwriter, Gina Bafile, (aka Darkyra / Darkyra Black, (she also is the new lead singer of Anfitrite). The friendship between the two dates back a full decade and this is the third album they have worked on together this time co-produced and arranged by them both and Garry has mixed the LP as well.
The album cover art features a Yin / Yang design incorporating a Raven and Dove, and very well expresses the music inside, alternating progressive rocking moments with atmospheric, symphonic calm passages.
”Life Force” explores the light and dark aspects of human nature, told through a series of songs that delve into both the inner and outer demons of the human experience. It also reflects on themes of aging, loss, and the fading of life force, but from a positive perspective. Musically blends ’80s hard rock and progressive / sympho influences, while maintaining a semi-metal sound.
Title track “Life Force” opens with a dreamy introduction and Gina Bafile singing “Following your heart will allow the universe to bring you lifeforce!” The golden, lead electric guitars, powerful drums and some cool spacey synths and keyboards, along with bass, set the stage and the table for some powerful music and lyrics. Gina sings, “Wasted time, all the waiting for, what for and why? When the path was clear all along in my mind. And oceans divide. Yet the magic somehow still alive. I feel your lifeforce shaking me inside”.
She sounds a little like Simone Simons or Charlotte Wessels, with a deeper voice range. This may be among the best tracks on the album. It is a fantastic show and album opener. The supporting choirs add more cinematic magic to the soundscape.
“Take Me Far Away” is another very good song. It is a journey, full of symphonic choirs with Gina’s voice lighting the way. Fab Jablonski’s keyboard and synth playing takes this music above the regular metal music you may hear daily. Gus Mansur’s bold guitar playing is also a band and album highlight.
“Breathe” is a real showcase for Gina’s vocals. Her pipes rises about the softer lead electric guitar and surrounding keys. She ask us to “Show me how to breathe again”. The heavy lead electric guitar that enters later helps to take this song deeper and a little darker.
“All in Good Time” display Fab Jabloski’s really nice keyboard work. Gina also lights up this song with brilliant soprano like vocals. The keyboard soling on this track is one of my favorites, along with the choruses that light the stage with flames of sound.
“One Foot in the Grave” opens with stellar keyboards and downtuned electric metal guitar. Gina’s gothic vocal delivery here is so powerful and alluring. The singer delivers some of her most lofty vocals, with that wonderful melancholic chorus, amidst strong drumming. Another keeper.
“Tomorrow Without You”, opens with the sound of water and some wonderful intricate electric lead guitar, supported well with keyboards. This is another of the best songs on the album. The keyboards and guitar playing dominate this wonderful song. Gina tells the sad story, set to wonderful music. Very dramatic and symphonic sounds vibrate throughout the soundscape.
“Quiet the Mind” opens with powerful lead electric guitar and keys interplay. Gina’s voice takes front stage again. With the slow roll of her voice, the sound becomes melodramatic and brooding. “Leap Before You Die”, is probably the heaviest song on the album. The midway keyboard solo is stupendous, but it is the pulsating electric guitars that control most of this song.
“Tested the Water” begins with heavy electric guitar, bass and drums. Gina sings, “Stand up and see me”. A straight ahead rocker with power guitars, drums and supporting keyboards.
“Celebrity Smile” starts with beautiful keyboards, full of light. The ivory and synth symphony continues as lead electric guitar, bass, and drums join in to build the soundscape. This an epic closer, much like I was hoping to hear. Gina’s deep vocal rises with her lyrics, “Images and words. Normalize the lies. Are we hypnotized. Based on a conditioned mind. In a virtual word. Was it a drawn up plan”. Yes, the influence of artificial intelligence. An epic song warning us about the coming challenges before us. Technology and slaves to the limelight. Gina closes, “She gave it all away for a celebrity smile”. The keyboard soling is wonderfully intense. Over 8 minutes of progressive with metal touches.
Darkyra’s ”Life Force” is an interesting surprise discovery. The record is full of the explanations and reality of forces found on both sides of the dark and light side of life. Musically varied, expansive, heavy, atmospheric at others, there’s complex arrangements but easy to follow melodies as well.
Highly Recommended
01. Breathe
02. All In Good Time
03. Life Force
04. Tomorrow Without You
05. Take Me Far Away
06. Celebrity Smile
07. Quiet The Mind
08. Foot In The Grave
09. Leap Before You Die
10. Tested The Water (Bonus Track)
Lead Vocals - Gina Bafile
Backing Vocals - Garry King and Gina Bafile
Garry King - Drums, Percussion, Loops and Extra Keyboard on Bonus Track 'Tested the Water'
Gus Mansur - Guitars (all tracks incl. 'Breathe' and Extra Guitars and Solo on 'Tested the Water'
Fab Jablonski - Keyboard, Piano and Synth
Lucio Manca - Bass Guitar
Maaz Manik - Bass Guitar on 'Celebrity Smile' and 'Take Me Far'
Vinni Bafile - Clean and Drone Guitar parts on 'Quiet Mind'
James Michael - Guitars on 'Breathe' and Guitars and Keyboard on 'Tested the Water'
Darkyra – Life Force 2025, MP3+FLAC
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