Australian symphonic metal band DARKYRA has announced the release of their third album ‘Life Force‘ in early 2025. A brand new video teaser can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/m21NMRoLa2k
“Life Force” is the third release from Gina Bafile under the Darkyra brand and the third involving drummer and producer, Garry King. Life-Force is a collection of songs based around both the light and dark aspects of human nature, It is a walk through an eclectic mind. Cinematic storytelling driven by the push pull of good and evil, the inner and outer demons, slaves to a virtual world yet there are those still willing to give it all for a Celebrity Smile.
Tracklist:
1. Breathe
2. All in Good Time
3. Life Force
4. Tomorrow Without You
5. Take me Far Away
6. Celebrity Smile
7. Quiet the Mind
8. Foot in the Grave
9. Leap While You’re Alive
10. Tested the Water (Bonus Track)
The cover art features the beautiful Raven and Dove Yin Yang created by American Airbrush Artist Fern Gadd.
“Life Force” we see it fade slowly in the sick as they slip away. We feel the vibrancy of the youth who have time and energy to play… and within our memories the fallen. Forever loved, sometimes felt as if they still remain. “Life Force” flows within us all. It is the unity of strangers across the globe, the creation of magic in the form of music. The spirit within that speaks volumes and Darkyra, abscent for some time has not forgotten how, for she has much to say….after all…THE WORLD’S A STAGE!
Featuring a long cast of extraordinary musicians and collaborators from around the globe and solely produced by Garry King (Jeff Beck/Joe Lynn Turner Tours) at La Foret Groupe in the South West of France.
Main Collaborators on the recording of the album:
Gina Bafile – Vocals, Backing vocals
Garry King – Drums, Backing vocals, Production
Gus Mansur – Guitar
Fab Jablonski – Keyboards / Synth
Lucio Manca – Bass
Guest Musicians:
Kristen Sanfead – Guitar (Leap While You’re Alive)
Maaz Manik – Bass (Celebrity Smile, Take Me Far)
Vinni Bafile – Guitar (Quiet the Mind)
The story about DARKYRA
Darkyra – Something special, something you have never heard before! “Upon first listen you may liken it to industry greats such as Within Temptation or even Tarja (ex-Nightwish) but in doing so you wouldn’t even come close. Very few women in the industry are able to weave music in such a way as Darkyra and make music her own muse.” – EvilG, Metal Rules
Dragon Tears…
It was through the company ‘Online Recording Masters’ based in Athens, Greece that vocalist and songwriter, Gina Bafile found the musicians for what was to become her very first record called ‘Dragon Tears’. Owner/musical arranger (Online Recoding Masters) George Boussounis formed an introduction with drummer/producer Garry King (Jeff Beck, Joe Lynn Turner) and Gina’s ideas for her very first concept under the Darkyra pseudonym started to evolve.
Three additional session musicians were brought in to join the Darkyra team for the 2013 recordings, guitarist Paul Jupe, Betovani Dinelli, and keyboard player Fab Jablonski. The first Darkyra track prior to the full album release came out on an official video for the single ‘Tears by Candlelight’ in 2013 generating much interest in the full record. “Dragon Tears” a concept album based on a Gothic interpretation of a geisha like tale that ends in tragedy, love, loss, lust, betrayal and revenge, was released in February 2014.
The album built instant critical acclaim internationally as a fine blend of symphonic/gothic metal with powerful vocal performances and progressive/classic rock elements of traditional pentatonic music with an overall ‘Cinematic’ sound and feel. “All eleven numbers here are different but are very fluent and offer up musical highlights galore, too numerous to mention, ensure you keep the CD in the player to the VERY end.
To summarize, Darkyra is Dark, Passionate and Edgy and demonstrating fine vocal prowess” – Ravenheartmusic Review (6th February 2014)
Of Fools and Gold Now…
With the first record under her belt and amazing reviews it was time to set the scene and start the next stage of creating songs and music for a second follow up album and plan ahead for live shows and touring. In January 2014 even before Dragon Tears was officially released.
Darkyra had already started work on 15 new track ideas ready for an April studio sessions deadline in the historic city of Athens. With George and Garry being based in Europe plans were laid for the three with guitarist Betovani and Keyboard player Fab Jablonski to start work recording drums, guitars, guide keys and main vocal parts for what should be the most amazing and powerful follow up record.
A new vision…
By the end of 2014 and prior to completion of the new ‘Fool’ album, Gina made the decision to convert Darkyra from a studio project to a performing band recruiting musicians from her hometown Perth, Western Australia. The first ever Darkyra performance was in April 2015 where songs from both the debut ‘Dragon Tears’ and ‘Fool’ were played live for the very first time.
‘Fool’ was released mid 2015 and features the guest bass work of Tony Dolan (M-Pire of Evil, X Venom) on the track titled, Truth or Dare. With a very strong story line and searing string sections, Darkyra’s memorable melodies and passionate vocal performances throughout all 11 songs once again set a standard very hard to beat and certainly hard to ignore both lyrically and musically.
Twist of Fate…
Sadly, Darkyra’s scheduled European tour secured March 31st – April 10th, 2016, through TJ Concerts was cancelled due Gina’s unexpected cancer diagnosis and the band had put plans on hold indefinitely.
Back With a Vengeance…
In 2024, after a 8-year long hiatus, Darkyra began again with Gina’s collaboration with both International and Australian musicians for what would become her third release, titled ‘Lifeforce’ and scheduled for completion sometime early 2025.
http://laforetgroupe.com
https://www.darkyramusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/DarkyraOfficial
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4VRJy3osm0rMsYthOvKfKM
https://www.youtube.com/@Darkyramusic
