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Darzamat is another of the ubiquitous Polish Phenoms that are starting to make a splash around the world. Darzamat (guardian of all gardens and woods), a quintet, includes Katarzyna Banaszak - Rafa "Flauros" Góral - vocals & lyrics, Szymon Struek - bass & midi programming, Krzysztof Michalak - guitars and Pawe Chudzicki - drums.

Unlike the other highly popular Polish bands, Darzamat has both a male and female singer like, but unlike, Lacuna Coil and that's not the only difference. Trying to describe Darzamat's music, is like trying to describe a cloud or a breeze or a sunset. Oh sure you can describe them in general but try doing it in detail.

Darzamat's music is not B&B but it kinda is. It's not Black Metal, but it kinda is. It's not Gothic, but, you guessed it, it sorta is. It's MYSTERIOUS, it's ETHEREAL, it's SENSUAL, it's ATMOSPHERIC and SYMPHONIC, with both enchanting female vocals as well as a Black Metal croak and clean male vox. And the melodies! Where do they get them? they're like nothing in the West. Sure, I hear glimmers of them from time to time like with Rhea's Obsession but not like this. They bombard you! This should get 5 stars just for being so unusual and sensual. By the way the band themselves describe their music as Black Art, curious!

"In The Flames Of Black Art", starts with a cello, very intriguing keyboards, rhythmic guitars in the background and some subdued growls from Flauros. Although there are lyrics, they are indistinguishable. This is virtually an Instrumental.

"Legend?" starts fast with drums and slows down, we also get some clean male vocals and joined for the first time by Kate's hypnotic singing, together with intriguing melodies, "Flauros" and combined with symphonic sounding keyboards and also calmer interludes. "I saw the tree at the night / Which with his colour was killing / the most sublime feelings in me

"Secret Garden" is a slower, more atmospheric song. "Hurry my steeds chased by the wind / Across the crystal meadows / Nobody will hear the piano of melancholy" After a keyboard intro Kate takes over, with the other band members sing back on chorus's. There are violins and a harp added for effect.

"Seven Golden Fires" an epic, probably the best song on the album, this medium paced song is over eight minutes of ominous symphonic melodies with Kate and Flauros taking turns. "Sitting by the candles / Before the mirror of my inspiration / I look at my mirror's picture / So who am I if there stays a mind of an / Inexhaustible mistery with me?"

"Theatre of Rapture" is similar to "Seven Golden Fires but at a slower pace. "Why do you rise me above the clouds / And I hear the voice of my lust / That I hid away from the light / Only desire can be the wind in my dreams"

"The Dream" Why do you rise me above the clouds / And I hear the voice of my lust / That I hid away from the light / Only desire can be the wind in my dreams "The Dream"" violins and keyboards and a buzzing guitar highlight this faster beat number. Flouros has the lead with Kate backing.

"The Storm" is an anthem, black metal style. Pronounced drums and ominous stringed instruments lead this very interesting number. "The storm, that the flames of black art have started / The storm, which has left the symbol of thousand fires / The storm, which gives the thousand minds"

Conclusion

If you are a curious and expanding type person, Darzamat is certainly worth a listen. Although this album was originally recorded in 1997 it is a breath of fresh air and will never be dated.

On the slight chance, that you noticed that the song list does not correspond to the album cover as shown let me explain. The album reviewed was the original issue from 1997, which has one of my favorite all time erotic album covers. However that album cover was either censored or could not be found, so the 2003 reissue cover was used. The reissue album has one track added.