Dark Heart – Out Of The Shadows

Dark Heart
Out Of The Shadows
Label: Battlegod Productions
Out: July 21^st, 2024
Playing time: 57:11

They were one of the bands that celebrated their first successes in the era of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Dark Heart from Durham in England. The band was still called Tokyo Rose until 1983. They became famous with their 1984 debut album ‘Shadows of the Night’. However, when the trend died down, the members went their own ways. In 2017 – thirty years after the split – they reunited. Although the press release refers to the long-awaited second album, Encyclopaedia Metallum contains three albums. But if you look at the individual songs, ‘Dark Heart’ (2021) and ‘Out of the Shadows’ (2024) are largely identical. There is only one additional song on the latter. ‘Shadows of the Night’ is probably “just” a re-recording of the title track from the debut.

‘Darkest Eyes’ is a fast and hard opening to the album. Tight riffs and powerful drumming dominate. Later, Alan 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 mid-tempo 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 Black Sabbath memory riffs. Then the ride takes off with ‘Break The Chains’. Full steam ahead Rock. ‘Time To Fly’ is another great Rock anthem. A bass line opens ‘K.O.T.D’. This is followed by beautiful mid-tempo guitar hooks. Plus, riffs from a lower tuned guitar. Great 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’ is a great moment in 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. Conclusion: ‘All killer – no filler!’ Every single song is a hit. Chapeau!

Dark Heart – Night Won’t Let Me Go (Official Lyric Video 2024): https://youtu.be/wJ1Km238Uw8?si=lvhKjocSlqD03XeZ

Lineup:

Alan Clark – Vocals
Nick Catterick – Guitars
Pete Newdeck – Drums
Josh ‘Tabbie’ Williams – Bass

Track list:

• Darkest Eyes
• Cast To Stone
• Edge Of Dreams
• Degrees Of Separation
• Wings Of The Night
• House Of Usurer
• Break The Chains
• Time To Fly
• K.O.T.D
• Night Won’t Let Me Go
• Shadows Of The Night