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The Demons We Create

    
       
       
       
     
             
Dark Lightning are a symphonic metal band from Germany formed in 2018 releasing the bands self titled debut E.P. in 2023, and debut full length album 'The Demons We Create' in 2024...    
             
...featuring twelve songs across fifty five minutes of dark and atmospheric symphonic metal with a weighty dose of melodic and traditional metal too - the bands current line-up consisting of vocalist Lea Diekmann (ex Everrime), guitarists Alexander Jung and Mike Richter (ex Queen Of Distortion), bass player Frank Pirnay, keyboard player Marvin Seiler, and drummer Nepomuk Buchner. 'The Demons We Create' features an immensely wide array of metal styles and sounds, along with many vocal expressions, ranging from clean and clear soaring vocals to intense howls and growls - most of them from Diekmann! All other harsh vocals are provided by Pirnay.    
             
The album is brought to life with the one minute anticipation fuelled instrumental 'Glimpse Of Freedom', building the tension to an unbearable crescendo as 'Trapped Forever' thunders into view and trundles forth with all the might of a tank battalion heading off to war - the soaring vocals from Diekmann reaching heights that most of us can only dream of! And at the other end of the scale, her growls are fucking terrifying, 'The Unknown Mind' shuddering the ground with immense force as the band hit the accelerator to increase the pace to a gallop! You know the kinda gallop I'm talking about, it's the one that came forth out of the eighties evolution for heavy metal, and is shining brightly here along with a stunning array of vocals! An opening one-two to grab the attentions of everyone everywhere, Dark Lightning move into ballad territory with 'Into The Night Sky'.    
             
For all of its first twenty seconds or so, 'Into The Night Sky' increasing the tempo to become a thundering mid paced barrage of hard hitting symphonic metal - the infectious level rising right off the charts as the band deliver an immensely melodious and sing a long style chorus! With atmosphere and tension at the forefront of everything the band do, 'Hall Of Tears' is a little menacing too, the heavy nature here heavier than anything heard so far. And let's be honest, Diekmann's vocals are not just symphonic and harsh, there's a seductive metal roar in there too, the singer's incredible ability to seamlessly switch between styles in the blink of an eye is simply irresistible! And even a rock roar isn't beyond Diekmann's capability, 'Take Off' more rockier than everything heard up to this point, Dark Lightning maintaining their pigeon-hole defying genre hopping border jumping boundary breaking barrage of metal!    
             
The bands fanbase must be a myriad of metallers, 'The Demons We Create' attracting fans from a multitude of genres, the eerie first minute and a bit of 'The Lonely Ruler' sending a stone cold chill down the spine - the band stomping ahead with an almighty punchy crunch, the harsh vocals adding even more menace to an already menacing march! The intensity of the album since it began has been spot on, not too overpowering and definitely not timid, Dark Lightning keeping a tight hold on everyone's attentions - 'Solace In My Solitude' featuring the highest level of tension ever! And a little doom metal swagger too, the band purposefully pacing forward with a heaviness that may just shift a few tectonic plates around the planet! So prepare for a wide range of seismic activity to engulf every country in the world, there's a storm coming and it goes by the name Dark Lightning! And slowing the pace right down to a menacing groove laden foot stomp, 'Born Without A Heart' roars through the gears to speed up - and slow down again, the band delivering a pace changing tempo changing slice of melodic death come groove metal!    
             
The variation of songs on offer is wide, very wide - and with only three songs remaining the band continue to vary their sonic assault, 'Beautiful Beast' entering the fray with the fastest, most aggressive riffing on the album! Guitars chop relentlessly like waves at sea in a cyclone, the menacing aura of the storm, the band and the vocals all equal in their intensity, 'The Demons We Create' continuing its twisting and turning rampage through the genres of symphonic, traditional and groove metal with the occasional visit to thrash and death! And balladry too - the piano led 'Quest For Light' reining in every ounce of energy and drive heard up to this point, the soulful, soaring vocals angelic in nature with just a hint of melancholy seeping through. And bringing the album to a fabulous end, the band throw everything in their vast arsenal at every listener everywhere, the title song 'The Demons We Create' a nine minute monster of a metal march that showcases every style of metal music that influences the Dark Lightning sound. A sensational finale to a stunning album.    
             
Overall, a wide array of symphonic metal with crushing riffs and a blend of soaring and harsh vocals across a surprise packed hour of intensity.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metalmessage    
             
Review is also featured at Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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