Darklon is a band I’ve been following for quite some time. I’ve always been a fan of their US-style metal, and their live shows are incredibly powerful too. So when the news hit that their new singer is Billy Chrepas (ex-Wildfire), I was thrilled! Even before hearing the band’s new album, I was convinced that Chrepas would take Darklon to another level.
And now that I’ve given “Mind Reaper” a proper listen, I can safely say that the new vocalist launches Darklon into the stratosphere! In fact, we’re talking about a completely different band now — vastly superior to anything in their past! Chrepas is one of the key driving forces on “Mind Reaper”, essentially stealing the spotlight with his soaring, high-pitched vocals and adding an unbelievable new depth to Darklon’s sound.
These Greek heavy/power metallers no longer have anything to envy from similar bands abroad — they can stand toe-to-toe with the best of them! The new album is packed with tremendous songs built on razor-sharp riffs — complex, epic, and pure-bred American power metal anthems that will shake you to the core and force you into non-stop headbanging.
Every track is better than the last, but if I absolutely had to choose, I’d go with “In The Abyss”, “Mind Reaper”, “The Mad Messiah” and “Psyched Out”. Still, there are no weak moments here — just relentless, blazing, dramatic metal that carries on the legacy of bands like Omen, Jag Panzer, Manowar and more.
So, welcome the new era of Darklon, a band that turns the world of heavy/power metal upside down thanks to the arrival of B,/illy Chrepas! Listen to “Mind Reaper” — and put your mind in Darklon’s hands!
♦ 8,5/10
Dimitris Zacharopoulos
