If you like you're Metal fast, symphonic, loud and melodic - give this a try.

Darktribe formed in 2009 and recorded their first EP, 'Natural Defender', that same year. The band have now signed to Scarlet Records and have just released their second album entitled 'The Modern Age' which was mixed and mastered by none other than Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios in Denmark.

Starting with a Symphonic and Techno-Metal instrumental ('Humanizer'), the album quickly moves to 'Red House Of Sorrow'; the speed is quick and the energy is high – very much in the vein of DragonForce. The pace rarely slackens, the double kick drum pedalling is full-on, the keyboards are high in the mix and the powerful but melodic guitar leads the affray throughout. Standout moments for me are the harmonised guitar solos in the epic 'My Last Odyssey' and the even more epic 'A Last Will'.

Luckily, with the amount of keyboards, guitars and unceasing bass and drums, Darktribe has a good singer in Anthony Agnello; his vocals are powerful and cut through the instruments. His versatile ability is also put to good effect in the slower moments such as the ending of 'Holy Water Day' and the chanting close to 'Anthem For A Planet'.

The band as a unit delivers on this album and it is well produced – crystal clear with nice bits of light and shade. So if you like you're Metal fast, symphonic, loud and melodic – give this a try.

Rob McKenzie