Trocaria: The Dark Nears

This album is brought to you by a two piece dark symphonic metal band called Trocaria who hail from Charlotte North Carolina. This, if I might say so, is a somewhat unique setup where we see Joan providing all the instrumentation and Jon the vocals.

Joan and Jon aren't exactly names that you associate with this genre, as the participants are usually more inventive, name wise, but that doesn't stop it being what it is.

Let's just clear something up here, sub genres. Symphonic metal usually borrows from the musical genres of classical and progressive rock, usually with more keyboards or acoustic guitars and typically fronted by a female vocalist that usually practices the art of opera, or has an operatic approach. In fact there certainly aren't any signs of the operatic singer present, in fact, quite the opposite as Jon supplies all the inimitable guttural vocal passages.

Musically, Joan interestingly layers each song, with an adeptness that doesn't really gather any pace, which at times is atmospheric, but never really leads too much. Is It Just A Shadow is probably the most standout moment as it opens, but quickly falls back into the same approach as all that has past and that is to come, which is a shame really.

As an album The Dark Nears just seems to lack both power and direction. The base elements are there but their execution is somewhat lacking making it nothing more than just an average album really. This genre is a very competitive market and to be successful, one needs to create something slightly different that stands out.

Track List
1. The Gates Of Hell
2. Cursed
3. Is It Just A Shadow
4. Martyr
5. The Burning Man
6. Suicide
7. Possession
8. The Dark Nears

Added: August 21st 2012
Reviewer: John OBoyle
Score:
Related Link: www.myspace.com/trocariaofficial
Hits: 1774
Language: english

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