Search - Dargaard :: Rise & Fall

A personal review of Dargaard's music.

Platon Kuzmich | 08/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dargaard is a creation of Thares, a former member of an Austrian black-metal band Abigor. However, as stated on the band's website, "the band was his opportunity to step away from his usual genre (Black Metal) and experiment with a different approach to express attitudes and feelings."



Some define the genre as "Neo-classical darkwave", what is strange, because Dargaard is neither neo-classically orthodox, nor has a typical goth-industrial attitude. I find the name "ambient fantasy" more appropriate.



So what is Dargaard about? Tharen utilizes a wide array of synthetic instruments, shaping default sounds into magnetic and mysterious themes. He lacks professional skill, which is compensated by an inspired approach and a sense of melody.



The only annoying track, present of some of the early CD's, is a background hissing voice on some of the compositions. Theoretically, it should enrich the mood but unfortunately it does not manage to create a "wicked" impression, being just a noise out of place. Fortunately, none of them are present of "Rise and Fall". On the contrary, pleasant female vocals by Elisabeth Toriser blend in with the soundscape perfectly.



The music of Dargaard is simple but enchanting, having its own specific charm. The "monster sounds" (obviously Gollum-inspired) and the lack of self-irony may make this music not entirely likeable to everyone. However, I don't want to seem pessimistic, because I really enjoyed Dargaard. If you enjoy the romanticism of fantasy and magic in its primal, non-pretensive form, this music is for you."