interview by: Roberto Martinelli

Lately I've become a fiend for metal with classical influences. I've found satiety by turning to the European power metal genre, and I've been hooked. While many will criticize the genre for its happy music and uplifting choruses, but dammit, it's grown on me. Where Dark Moor's The Hall of the Olden Dreams seemed merely adequate at first, and then shamelessly good; it quickly became obvious that this was a gem. Even looking back at the review I wrote for this album in issue #4, I think I underrated it, as The Hall of the Olden Dreams is as endearing and memorable an album as you'll find. I loved the band so much I even went out in search of their debut, Shadowland. The nice thing to say is how incredible it is how much the band made up of the same six members has progressed. It's like it's not even the same band. Enamored as I am with Dark Moor, I contacted guitarist Enrik Garcia to learn more about this essential Spanish power metal band.

Maelstrom: Hello, Dark Moor! How are things going with the band, and what's the good word in Spain?

Enrik Garcia: There are several [pieces] of news: Our third record is in course, we have new compositions and we are preparing the recording in November. Regarding concerts, we are touring around Spain with success. We hope to tour Europe next year.

Maelstrom: The Hall of the Olden Dreams is your second album, is it not? I have not had the opportunity to hear your debut. For those who are familiar with your previous material, and also for people like myself, please compare the two.

Enrik Garcia:The first work, Shadowland, has a worse production than this second one. Besides, the compositions are musically more mature and more up to date in our current album. The cover art and design are also better in The Hall…

Maelstrom: I very much liked the classical scales that you use both in your riffs and solos. You credit Vivaldi and Bach for classical inspiration in your liner notes. Could you please tell us which pieces by these composers in particular inspired you?

Enrik Garcia: Not a concrete piece [stands out.] They are all masterpieces. I seek for inspiration in the complete work of these composers, such as Mozart. It is true that in "Hand in Hand" I took "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" for my solo.

Maelstrom: Every member of your band is an excellent musician. Could you please tell us about your training, and when you started playing?

Enrik Garcia: Albert Maroto, Roberto P.C. and me, Enrik Garcia, have [done] musical studies (sol-fa), with Albert and I [having spent] years studying classical guitar. I began playing when [I was] seven years old and on electrical guitar when [I was] 13.

Maelstrom: Dark Moor's songs adhere to the European power metal standard of being energetic and upbeat. Do you see your band ever employing minor scales, for example, and making your music darker?

Enrik Garcia: Well, I like some black and death metal bands, like: Children of Bodom, In Flames, Bal-Sagoth, Cradle of Filth and some others. However, I consider that the compositions in Dark Moor are following other lines for the moment, but not refusing other musical influences and trends.

Maelstrom: What is your opinion of the US power metal scene? Could you please compare the scene there with the scene in Europe?

Enrik Garcia: The European musical current is stronger and there are more successful bands. However, the few American bands that we hear here are excellent, like Symphony X and Kamelot.

Maelstrom: What do you think of the scene in Spain in particular?

Enrik Garcia: Metal is increasing little by little [in popularity], but there are few bands [that] are able to go abroad and make good sales. We desire that our success helps other Spanish bands to follow in our path.

Maelstrom: Metal-wise, I hear a very strong Angra Angels Cry influence, in some of your vocal melodies and especially in your guitar solos. I'm glad you picked up where Angra left off after their first album. I have been increasingly disappointed by Angra's releases since that first one. Now, Angra has experienced some big lineup changes. What is your opinion of the progression of that band?

Enrik Garcia: Angra is my favourite band. I personally like Angels Cry as much as Holy Land and Fireworks, which is also a good album but probably the least good. I [was] greatly disappointed with the band's breaking up. I think that the fusion of metal, classical and Caribbean rhythms [have made for] some of the best creations this decade.

Maelstrom: It seems that some of you are very involved in role-playing games. That's something I did as a kid and miss a lot. Do you find it difficult to find people motivated to play, especially when it's easier all the time to play computer RPGs?

Enrik Garcia: Indeed, Anan and I are involved in a role-playing game club in Spain. We are about 12 people, so we have no problem to play. [Computer] RPGs are good, but it is not the same thing. Besides, our favorite game is the terrific "The Call of Cthulhu," and there are few RPGs [based on this game.]

Maelstrom: You continue in the power metal tradition of writing songs based on Dungeons and Dragons-style fantasy. Do you see Dark Moor continuing in that tradition in the future? What satisfaction do you get from writing songs with those themes?

Enrik Garcia: In that respect, we do not write D&D-based songs. Mainly, we are inspired by history, literature and a little on fantasy, but not exclusively on it. On our third record we are continuing in this lyrical fashion, and also revisiting some themes used on our first album, which were inspired by Lovecraft and Poe's work. Regarding the satisfaction aspect, we are more interested in the poetical aspect to lyrics. We are attentive to form, and we think we are one of a few bands to respect rhyme and meter.

Maelstrom: You also credit Rhapsody as one of your influences. One can definitely hear where those ideas were utilized on The Hall of the Olden Dreams, in the scales that you use. However, Dark Moor is not as bombastic and over the top as Rhapsody is. How would you compare the styles of your band and the bands that you are inspired by?

Enrik Garcia: When I compose, I have all my influences my head, and I do not propose to make music in this or that way (trying to seem like Rhapsody or Angra). Simply, things come out [the way they do]. On the other hand, I think Dark Moor has a faster rhythm and pays more attention to the guitar work.

Maelstrom: Please tell us about yourselves. Where have you been, what originally got you interested in metal?

Enrik Garcia: We are a humble band from Madrid, which works hard. With the help of our record company, Arise, we have arrived at this point and we hope to continue progressing. We have always been metal supporters since our very beginnings, and we always dreamt of being in a heavy metal rock band.

Maelstrom: Finally, please take the opportunity to promote your band in any way that may not have been covered in the interview. Please tell us about any tours you may have planned, albums to be released, or any stories that you find interesting. We thank you for your time.

Enrik Garcia: Simply to tell that we hope to go forward in the next year to tour with some important bands, to please our fans around the world with our show and mise-en-scene which is joyful and energetic, as our supporters say. Thanking your interest and kindness, we greet you.                         

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