HinweiseGenre : Melodic Power Metal
(VÖ 26.02.07)

Madrid act DARK MOOR is titled after the 'Riftwar' saga of Raymond E. Feist. The band fronted by erstwhile SABATAN vocalist Eliza Candelas Martin and founded in 1994, debuted with the 'Shadowland' album. DARK MOOR would donate their version of 'Halloween' to the HELLOWEEN tribute album 'Keepers Of Jericho'. Outside of Spain this cover version drew attention to the band with ex-HELLOWEEN man Kai Hansen citing it as his favourite on the record. The track had been recorded during the sessions for the Luigi Stafanini produced 'The Hall Of Olden Dreams' album. DARK MOOR would land the valuable support slot to DEMONS & WIZARDS Spanish tour dates that year too.

A mini album, 'The Fall Of Melnibore' limited to 1500 copies for the Spanish market, would arrive in May 2001 comprising of new material, the HELLOWEEN cover plus 'Wood Song' being an exclusive bonus from the Korean licensed version of 'The Hall Of Olden Dreams' and 'The Fall Of Melnibore' from the Japanese variant.

DARK MOOR's fourth opus, 'The Gates Of Oblivion', would see CYDONIA vocalist Dan Keying acting as session guest and the employment of the Valcavasian choir for further vocal textures. This release saw DARK MOOR expanding their international audience, being their first record licensed into North America. Keyboard player Roberto Peña de Camus made his exit in June 2002.

Eliza C. Martin would act as studio guest on RED WINE's 'El Fin De Los Tiempos' album and also donate her vocal talents to the 'Of Wars In Osyrhia' debut album of French Symphonic Metal band FAIRYLAND in 2003. DARK MOOR themselves released an interesting segueway offering in April dubbed 'Between Light And Darkness', a mini album comprising acoustic tracks, an orchestral version of the track 'Dies Irae' and three unreleased songs.

DARK MOOR was wrought by a major split in March as Elisa C.Martín, Albert Maroto and drummer Jorge Sáez all exited in order to create a fresh band DREAMAKER in union with another erstwhile DARK MOOR man keyboard player Roberto P.Camus. Subsequently, Sáez forged another outfit billed EBONY ARK with singer Beatriz Albert, herself holding DARK MOOR credits having vocalised on the first album.

DARK MOOR introduced singer Alfred Romero as replacement frontman and second guitarist Jose Garrido, the latter of ARWEN. On drums came former WORMED drummer Andy C. The band's fourth studio album would be complemented by guest vocalist Beatriz Albert, pianist Isabel García and the Valcavasian and female Castelfranco choirs. Japanese variants, issued through the JVC Victor label, added the extra track 'The Mysterious Maiden'.

European package tour dates for January o2004 found the group in league with with Dutch act AFTER FOREVER, Swedes AMARAN and French veterans NIGHTMARE. The band severed ties with guitarist Jose Garrido in February. Headline gigs in Spain during November would see a coupling with Swedish act SKYFIRE for two shows.

DARK MOOR completed album recordings working with producer Luigi Stefanini in September 2006. The record featured a choir compliment of two tenors, two sopranos, two altos and two bass singers plus guest inclusion of singer Manda Ophuis of the Dutch band NEMESEA. DARK MOOR signed a recording deal with Italy's Scarlet Records in November for the album 'Tarot'.